RN Documentary: Taming the Salt Monster
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Series: RN Documentaries
Length: 29:29
The West Australian wheatbelt is known as the country?s breadbasket. Sheep and wheat farms the size of small countries stretch into an endless horizon ? but there?s violence in the history of the idyllic scene. A century ago, 1000 acres a day were being burned and cleared. Today patches of land are balding, agriculture is suffering, inland lakes are turning to salt. The land is turning saline and the farmers who love the land but also need to keep using it have to find ways to Tame the Salt Monster.
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Piece Description
The West Australian wheatbelt is known as the country?s breadbasket. Sheep and wheat farms the size of small countries stretch into an endless horizon ? but there?s violence in the history of the idyllic scene. A century ago, 1000 acres a day were being burned and cleared. Today patches of land are balding, agriculture is suffering, inland lakes are turning to salt. The land is turning saline and the farmers who love the land but also need to keep using it have to find ways to Tame the Salt Monster.
Transcript
Look at a map of Australia and you?ll see a vast expanse of yellow outlined with a thin smattering of green around the edge. Of course maps can look deceptive ? that thin edge of green actually is home to most of the country?s population, its giant agricultural industry and some of the most beautiful flora and fauna to be found on the planet. Oh and also, the colour of Australia?s heart isn?t yellow ? it?s red.
And in between that red heart and the green coast, there are great swathes of land that hover between fertile bounty and desert.
Music Signes tr 4 Rene Aubry
Comp and Perf: Rene Aubry SACEM 3024002 1?00
Teaser Kay ?12
To most of the young ones then the bush was something to get rid of..i suppose
Teaser dog ?16
WA trees not as green.. ..a metre wide
Teaser aidan ?12
If we say 100% of the land.. .. ..in the future
Teaser ? king ?11
A lot of...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music Signes | Rene Aubry | SACEM | 01:00 |
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Posted on January 27, 2007 at 05:15 PM | Permalink
Review of RN Documentary: Taming the Salt Monster
This is a well put together documentary that chronicles the transformation of Western Australia?s bush country into farmland, and the grim ecological aftereffects of this change. The reporter pulls together a variety of compelling voices to build a narrative that explains what?s at stake because of this practice. There are compelling first-hand accounts of how thousands of acres of vegetation were burned each day in the 1950?s and ?60?s, and how animals were desperate to escape the blazes. The science behind the degradation of the soil is explained thoroughly, although there are a couple of terms that aren?t defined. The story also touches on the anguish felt by today?s farmers who consider themselves stewards of the land, yet whose heritage is tainted by the destructive practices of their ancestors. All in all, this is a story worthy of considering for broadcast, particularly given the current national discussion about environmental issues.