LAKE BONNEY TURTLES

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK (15:05): I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the Minister for Environment a question about the die-off of turtles at Lake Bonney in the Riverland.

Leave granted.

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: Members may recall that last year I asked a question about the impact of what was then the proposed Lake Bonney closure on the broad-shelled turtle, which is known scientifically as Chelodina expansa and which is classified in South Australia as rare. The Institute of Applied Ecology at the University of Canberra has been studying this turtle in Lake Bonney, particularly as a local man, John Baneer, has been actively restocking the lake with turtles over a period of 20 years.

However, since Lake Bonney was cut off from the Murray, dead turtles have been washing up on its shores, which is a very disturbing sign and shows that the lake's ecosystem is under stress. Salinity levels have risen from 6,450 ECs in September 2007 to 13,490. As these are freshwater turtles, with a salinity tolerance of around 15,000 ECs, their future may soon be very limited.

The predictions by locals of the possible collapse of Lake Bonney have been given credence by the experience at Lake Boga, a lake near Swan Hill that was cut off from the Avoca River as part of a Victorian government water savings project. This action has seen a fish die-off that has resulted in a stench that extends kilometres beyond the town and an infestation of gnats. Concerned residents believe that Lake Bonney urgently needs a top-up of fresh water to reduce the salinity and a build-up of excessive nutrients, otherwise we could see a repeat of what has happened at Lake Boga. My questions are:

1. Is the minister aware of the turtle deaths thus far at Lake Bonney, and is she also aware of the collapse of the system at Lake Boga in Victoria?

2. Is her department actively monitoring the impact of the closure of the Riverland wetlands, including Lake Bonney, on threatened and vulnerable flora and fauna in these wetland ecosystems?

3. Is her department aware of any monitoring of Lake Bonney being conducted by other departments or agencies; if so, what are the results of that monitoring?

4. Will the minister approach the Minister for Water Security to secure a small release of environmental water from Chambers Creek into Lake Bonney to prevent the collapse of that lake and its ecosystem?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for her most important question and her ongoing interest in environmental matters. The drought we are currently experiencing is one of the worst ever on record and is indeed having a significant impact right across our community and our environment.

The area of Lake Bonney and the impact on turtles is of concern, as is a wide variety of issues there. However, I am informed that the effect of increasing salinity levels in the lake, and the concern about its impact on turtles, is being investigated in conjunction with the Berri Barmera Council, and I understand that work is being undertaken. In terms of the environmental impact of the drought across the Murray-Darling Basin system and other areas, one of the things the department is doing is monitoring the impact the drought is having, and a number of measures have already been put in place.

For example, we were able to announce the successful captive breeding program of the Yarra pygmy perch, and I think there is also the hardyhead gudgeon as well as a number of other species that have been threatened because of the current drought. Where possible, species suitable for captive breeding programs have been put into those programs. So, monitoring is occurring and a number of responses have been put in place—and I understand that the situation with the turtles is being monitored.

Obviously, the environmental impacts of the drought are of great concern to us. In terms of environmental flows and top-up water being available, again these are very difficult decisions for us to make. We monitor what is occurring, and environmental flows are allocated to those areas that are considered to be of highest priority. For instance, with Lake Albert and the acid sulphate soil there we need to pump into that lake from Lake Alexandrina, because it has become disconnected.

We have to put in place a number of measures to ensure the health of the environment now and into the future. Obviously, if we did not respond to that, there would ultimately be a catastrophic impact on that area with a devastating effect on the flora, fauna and soil of the area for an estimated 30 or 40 years. So, all the various priorities and needs have to be considered and weighed up. We put those resources where they are needed the most, and we continue to monitor and respond where we can.