Our Nation has been sold down the river

[Methusala]

In the '50's, Snowy Mountains scheme was utilising contracted engineering firms from around the world. Efficiency was everything and world standards were being smashed in many fields. Many innovations were pioneered including supports using rock bolts and Australian steel of extremely high standard was developed for structural supports and high pressure pipelines. The principles of design were largely developed indigenously though mechanical and electrical machinery came from Europe. It was financed mainly through Government sources (c$700m) although a $100m World Bank loan was taken out in 1962 (well into the project's construction).

It provided power and irrigation water and had many spin-off benefits through immigration and skill development. A signal tribute to 1950's methods of economic development.