Welcome to NationBuilder.com.au

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In the State and Territory tabs displayed above you will find the product of a broad ranging study on Australias' further potential to manage its water and energy resources.  The principal aim of this website however is to promote the uptake by industry and government of a revolutionary large scale rainwater harvesting technology known as the Zero Height Roof - ZHR.

ZHR is a new form of roofed structure which can be used to cover very large areas of open ground at a fraction of the cost of any known construction method.  The ZHR is formed using a novel tension truss which is drawn tight across arched and or sloped ground.  Batons are secured to the trusses, and roof sheets overlaid and fastened in the conventional manner.  The tension trusses are secured to stays which are anchored into the ground, and they are drawn and held tight between the stays so as to carry the batons and sheeting.  A number of risers are placed along the length of the truss so as to hold the truss off the underlying ground and to optimise the roof shape.  A small load pad may be provided for each riser to bear upon if desired, however, use of riser mechanisms which are stapled to the ground and that employ auger screw techniques are contemplated for certain applications.

Below you will find the broad outline of a proposal to construct a ZHR facility for the Tamworth and Gunnedah Region.  The first image you will encounter is an isometric side view of a typical ZHR installation.  You will note the tension truss arrangement is held aloft the ground by a series of risers which are spread out along the underside of each truss to hold it off the underlying ground.  The ZHR is held off the underlying ground so that the underlying ground may breath.

Tamworth ZHR 100Ha Trial Site

We propose the construction of a trial ZHR facility of 100 or less hectares in the high rainfall area above the present Dungowan Dam.  The image immediately below shows a trial 100 hectare ZHR proposal for the cities of Tamworth and Gunnedah which would yield an average of 1.25gL p.a.  The water harvested by the facility is directed along gutters and then by downpipe into the existing Dungowan Dam (current capacity 6.2GL).  We estimate the cost of construction of a typical ZHR at approx $50.00 per square metre.

Tamworth ZHR - Regional Overview

This image below shows a close-up view of a 3500 hectare ZHR proposal for the Tamworth and Gunnedah region which would yield 47 GL p.a.  You will note the image displays a reworked and expanded Dungowan Dam.  The new Dungowan Dam wall is situated nearly 2km further downstream from the existing dam wall and furthermore is considerably higher than the existing dam wall (a further 70 meters higher).  The enlarged Dungowan Dam would have a capacity in excess of 200GL, however, it can be readily increased to 300GL if desired.  It is possible to distribute water from the new Dungowan Dam by way of a pipeline to as far a field as Manilla, Gunnedah, Quirindi and Willow Tree.  A 3500 hectare ZHR facility in the location outlined would harvest on average 47 GL per year.  The natural catchment feeding into the new dam would contribute a further 6 GL p.a.  bringing the total approx 53 GL p.a.  With 53 GL p.a. the lower New England would have the wherewithal to transform itself into the drip fed smart agriculture centre of Australia.  With 53 GL mines which are currently held back can come on line without competing with the interests of local farmers and businesses.  There is sufficient head pressure to drive water from the new Dungowan Dam to the extremities of the displayed pipeline by gravity alone.  The new dam would cost in the order of $700-800M.  The pipeline $160M.  The 3500 hectare ZHR $1.75B.  These are large numbers, but not when considering the challenges we may face over the coming decades with respect to climate change.  Without ZHR how will communities living on the western side of the Great Dividing Range survive?