COORONG, LOWER LAKES AND MURRAY MOUTH REGION

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Can the minister provide an update on the progress that has been made through the programs that are being delivered in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) to build ecosystem resilience to drought and the impacts of climate change?

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:42): Yes, I saw that. You are very mature. I thank the honourable member for her very important question. Work on a number of fronts has been progressing well over the last year. In fact, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change and the Arts recently released its second report into biodiversity and incorporated findings from its May 2012 site visit to the CLLMM region. The report concluded that:

These programs...delivered environmental benefits, while also stimulating and transforming the local economy, building resilience in the community, and ensuring local ownership of environmental programs.

Further, the report stated:

The Committee commends the approach taken by the DEWNR in the CLLMM region, and notes the benefits of enhancing community resilience alongside ecological restoration.

Despite improved inflows to the region in recent times, ecological monitoring continues to reveal ongoing impacts from the drought. Modelling indicates there should be continuing improvement in salinity in the Coorong during 2012-13, although the overall level of improvement will depend on barrage operations, natural inflows and the provision of environmental water.

In early November 2012, the average salinity in Lake Albert was approximately 3,400 EC compared to average salinity of 5,200 EC at the same time last year. At the height of the drought, salinity in Lake Albert passed 20,000 EC. The water level in the lakes was cycled, when possible, through managed barrage releases to help reduce salinity levels in Lake Albert by drawing saline water out and replacing it with fresher inflowing water. It is expected to take some time—

An honourable member: Get rid of the silt.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Well, we have. It is expected to take some time for salinity from Lake Albert to approach historical average levels (about 1,800 EC) without further management intervention.

The government will be working with the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Community Advisory Panel, the local community and the Ngarrindjeri on the long-term management of water quality issues in Lake Albert and the Narrung Narrows. With considerable improvements in inflows, the Narrung bund was partially removed in September 2010 and dredging of the remaining high points to remove navigation hazards in the channel was completed in October this year. The government built temporary flow regulators in Currency Creek and in the Goolwa Channel near Clayton Bay in response to the emergency drought conditions experienced during 2009. The government continues to consult with the Ngarrindjeri regarding the removal of the regulators, the Clayton regulator having been partially removed—

Mr Whetstone: You just pull them out.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Well, you should have kept digging, mate. That would have been very helpful. That stunt that you did, because that is what you are into. You are into stunts. You are not into any substance.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: This is a very important subject.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Well, don't lead with your chin.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, Madam Speaker: the minister has strayed again. He is in 98. He is debating the issue.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I refer the minister back to the question. Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: The government built temporary flow regulators, as I said, in Currency Creek in the Goolwa Channel in Clayton Bay in response to the most unprecedented drought conditions experienced in this state. The government continues to consult with the Ngarrindjeri regarding the removal of the regulators, the Clayton regulator having been partially removed in 2010 to allow for water to be released through the Goolwa Barrage. The removal of the regulator was completed in February 2012.

Funding for the removal of the Currency Creek regulator has been approved by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and the commonwealth, with tenders having closed in mid November 2012. As part of the vegetation program, the Ngarrindjeri community and commercial nurseries grew approximately 705,000 plants in 2012 which were planted across 26 revegetation sites. A total of 124 different species were planted to stabilise soils and increase biodiversity and habitat for fauna, with 89 per cent survivorship achieved, with pest control undertaken on invasive plants such as—

The SPEAKER: Order! There is a point of order.

Mrs REDMOND: I understand the minister's time has expired.

The SPEAKER: Actually, minister, your time has just expired, but after the Leader of the Opposition got up; but your time has expired now.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Madam Speaker, I have got one paragraph. Are you telling me I cannot finish it?

The SPEAKER: Quickly. One paragraph.

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: This shows how much you care, doesn't it?

The SPEAKER: Order, minister!

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: It shows how much you care.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: The minister is interrupting and misbehaving in the house, and I draw your attention to standing order 73.

The SPEAKER: Yes.

Ms Bedford interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Florey! The member for Unley.