COORONG, LOWER LAKES AND MURRAY MOUTH REGION

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. To what extent is community knowledge in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region being used to guide the implementation and planning of projects in the region?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for her very important question. The government is committed to ensuring that local communities in the Coorong, the Lower Lakes and the Murray Mouth region remain central in the planning and implementation of projects aimed at restoring and maintaining the health of these precious environments. In fact, it is safe to say that over several years (especially during the drought) we relied a great deal on the understanding of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people about this particular area.

The community played a critical role in the development of the long-term plan for the region. Today there are hundreds of people from the region directly involved in drought recovery activities and programs aimed at building environmental resilience, such as through the planting and monitoring projects I have referred to before in this place. The contribution of knowledge and advice through communities has also been significant in the implementation of The Living Murray program, for example, in the rollout of the Icon Site Environmental Water Management Plan. Local representative groups and committees are making ongoing contributions to the shaping and running of numerous other environmental and water-related projects that are being led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department for Water—contributions that are welcomed.

As many of the projects begin to change their focus from drought recovery to work aimed at building long-term resilience in the region, we have been presented with an excellent opportunity to bring together that community wisdom and practical know-how in the shape of a Community Advisory Panel, which will provide guidance on government-led projects in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth area.

The panel members under the leadership of the Chair, Bill Paterson, bring with them a wide range of knowledge and skills, and I am confident this will enhance not only the quality of the work undertaken but also the coordination across projects. The inaugural meeting of the Community Advisory Panel was held on Monday of this week and I had the pleasure of attending that meeting. On behalf of the government, I thank the members of the panel, as I am sure the house does, and the participants who support them, for their commitment to taking action that will generate benefits for their region and, in fact, benefits for all South Australians.