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' offered his perspective on Australia's exceptional characteristics, stating it must be managed in light of its extreme climate. He highlighted that many Australian rivers have short journeys to the ocean and suggested redirecting water from these rivers to the arid regions as early as 1963.