Public Works Committee: Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Program, Tolderol Game Reserve Wetlands On-Ground Works

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:50): I move:

That the 103^rd report of the committee, entitled Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Program—Tolderol Game Reserve Wetlands On-Ground Works Project, be noted.

The Coorong is a national treasure, a unique environment that is widely regarded to be the most important waterbird wetland in the Murray-Darling Basin. The lakes and waterways are a Ramsar-listed Wetland of International Importance, subject to several international migratory bird agreements as well as numerous state and federal government initiatives. Sadly, the area has been in ecological decline for some time, with dwindling numbers of waterbird species, including fairy terns and some migratory shorebirds.

The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) proposes to undertake on-ground works at Tolderol Game Reserve wetlands to increase available habitat for key species of migratory and resident non-migratory shorebirds. This project is part of the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program and aims to benefit waterbird populations by increasing their preferred foraging habitat as well as supporting natural dispersal and range shifts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Tolderol Game Reserve spans over 200 hectares and comprises 21 man-made wetland basins that are gravity fed via a series of channels. Under the current system, only 18 of the 21 basins are watered, which provides habitat for only 45 per cent of the waterbird season. By increasing the number of basins watered, upgrading infrastructure and modifying basin levels, the proposed works aim to increase the foraging habitat for waterbirds by 50 hectares. The works will also increase habitat availability during the shorebird season by 40 per cent, providing 150 hectares of preferred habitat at Tolderol for 85 per cent of the season.

The project will water all 21 basins, enabling the modification of water levels to increase foraging area; upgrade the infrastructure to increase safety and efficiency of operations; allow wetting and drying cycles of wetlands to boost the growth of ecosystems; and increase the total preferred habitat for waterbirds of the Coorong, Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert.

DEW has engaged the services of civil engineering company Infrastructure Consulting to prepare a detailed design for the proposed works, which will construct and modify channels to increase management control of the water supply to the basins; install new pipes and isolation sluice gates to deliver flexible management of water; upgrade the pump distribution system through the installation of manifold pipework; upgrade the existing pump inlet screen for effective removal, stockpiling and management of in-stream vegetation; remove some basin banks to improve management efficiency; modify several basins to achieve desired water depths; and upgrade existing tracks and embankments to improve public safety, operations and maintenance access.

Construction is anticipated to begin in January next year and will aim to maximise use of the summer months to minimise potential delays caused by poor weather. The works are expected to take approximately six months, with completion expected in June 2025. The project is expected to cost up to $5 million and will be funded under the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program, provided on a 90:10 basis from the Australian and state governments. This funding is part of the original program commitment of approximately $70 million for state priority projects, and the associated 10 per cent state contribution is budgeted in the Department of Treasury and Finance contingencies. Following project completion, no change is expected to existing operating costs.

An economic impact analysis undertaken by DEW indicates the project will benefit local businesses in the short to medium term through capital investment during construction, operations and maintenance. The department also anticipates an increase in tourism to the area through increased use by birdwatchers, duck hunters, campers, bushwalkers and volunteers.

Due to the unique challenges of the works, DEW will seek accreditation from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to self-manage construction. Project delivery will be undertaken through a construct-only contract to be undertaken by private contractors appointed through a tender process, and DEW proposes an open tender with four separate packages that can be prioritised based on project outcome significance as well as final budget projections at commencement.

The department noted that a tender call was released in September, with the contract expected to be awarded this December in preparation for construction to begin early next year. All procurement will be undertaken in accordance with the state government's procurement management framework and will comply with relevant guidelines. The project will be managed in accordance with DEW's project management framework and governed under the existing Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin governance framework. DEW will be responsible for risk management on an ongoing basis to ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are incorporated throughout the project delivery.

Potential environmental impacts are of particular significance with the Tolderol wetlands project. The department states that a number of environmental assessments have been undertaken throughout the planning and design process. This includes considerations regarding vegetation, fauna, site contamination, groundwater, water quality, erosion and sedimentation, fuel storage, spillage and contamination, and geotechnical surveys.

The selected contractor will be required to develop an environmental management plan, and an onsite engineer will be engaged to oversee the works. While all efforts have been made to minimise the construction footprint, some native vegetation removal is, unfortunately, unavoidable and appropriate approvals will be sought prior to commencement.

Tolderol is within the Ngarrindjeri and Others Native Title Claim and subject to the Ngarrindjeri Indigenous Land Use Agreement. DEW has engaged the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation throughout the project's development. The traditional owners have identified that the Tolderol Game Reserve wetlands have significant cultural and ecological value and have expressed support for interventions which cause minimal impact by improving the health of their lands and waters. The corporation approved the works in March 2021, and a cultural heritage plan will be implemented during construction if requested.

DEW has created a community engagement plan, which outlines an engagement strategy following the approach provided in the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin guidelines. First Nations engagement will be carried out through a separate process guided by the Work it Out First Nations partnership team. Stakeholders and interested community members will be regularly informed and updated about project aims and progress as well as environmental benefits, and there has been significant consultation throughout the planning and design stages of the Tolderol wetlands project, including state government departments and agencies, the Australian government Minister for the Environment and Water, the Coorong District Council and First Nations representatives.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Program—Tolderol Game Reserve Wetlands On-Ground Works Project. Witnesses who appeared before the committee were: Sue Hutchings, Acting Executive Director, Water and River Murray, Department for Environment and Water; Sarah Murphy, Manager, Program Delivery, Water Infrastructure and Operations, Department for Environment and Water; and Stephen Whitehead, Program Leader, Coorong Infrastructure Investigations, Water Infrastructure and Operations, Department for Environment and Water. I thank the witnesses for their time.

Based upon the evidence considered and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public work.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:58): I rise to support this project at the Tolderol wetlands, which are just outside Langhorne Creek next to Lake Alexandrina. I want to acknowledge the volunteers who work in this Ramsar site to make sure we get the betterment of more waterbirds and better outcomes for the environment in this area. I note that this project will increase the water amount by 50 hectares of availability from 100 hectares as part of a 200-hectare site. I think, from everything that has been put in the briefing on this project, it will certainly do great work in enhancing the environment in the area, and I fully support the project.

Motion carried.