Lower Darling Water Release

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:05): Supplementary to the Deputy Premier: what action is the minister taking to protect river communities from any adverse risk?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy) (15:05): I feel I have probably canvassed that sufficiently in the previous answers, and we don't always have anticipation of poor water quality. Of course, occasionally there are circumstances that occur that suddenly trigger poor water quality that we need to respond to rapidly, as has occurred at the other end of the Murray more recently. But the way in which we will be making sure that river communities are well protected is through this process, that is the standard process, where SA Water will continue to be doing the assessment. Through the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, which is the authority that is undertaking this action, we will be seeking additional environmental water flows so that we can minimise and dilute the amount of algae water that is coming through, and we will take additional appropriate responses, because we will always put the quality of water for Riverland communities and any community dependent on potable water first.