05-May-2022 Theme: 'Pipe dreams'

(1) In the 1960s, mining magnate Lang Hancock proposed a scheme to create new harbours along the WA coast to accommodate large ore carrying ships. How did he plan to excavate the harbours?

Answer: Nuclear explosions.

(2) Where was the proposed starting point for a 416-kilometre-long canal, suggested in 1883 by government surveyor James W Jones, to convert Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) into a permanent inland sea?

Answer: Port Augusta (tip of Spencer Gulf).

(3) What vast water diversion scheme was officially opened in July 1963 by then Prime Minister Bob Menzies, who declared that “man has here conquered nature in the most spectacular fashion”.

Answer: The Ord River Scheme.

(4) Who in 1938 proposed a scheme to divert the coastal Tully, Herbert and Burdekin Rivers inland to ‘drought proof’ part of Australia.

Answer: Dr John Bradfield.

(5) In the early hours of Monday, 10 March 1902 engineer Charles (CY) O’Connor rode his horse into the sea near Fremantle, WA and shot himself. His death followed media and political controversy over what iconic engineering scheme?

Answer: The Goldfields Pipeline.

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