Known as the 'Water Man,' he was quoted as saying: "Australia is the lowest, flattest, hottest and driest continent on the earth and we have to manage it accordingly." Most of Australia's rivers flow relatively short distances to the sea. As early as 1963, Jack Beale called for water from Australia's rivers to be diverted to the arid inland.
The 'Water Man' commented on Australia's distinctive features, saying it must be managed in accordance with its extreme climate. He pointed out that many Australian rivers have short paths to the ocean and suggested redirecting water from these rivers to the country's arid regions as early as 1963.