LAKE ALBERT

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:28): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Water and the River Murray a question about the scoping study into future management practices for Lake Albert.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: In December 2012, the federal and state Labor governments announced an investigation into the future management of water quality in Lake Albert and the Narrung Narrows but very little has been heard since. In making the announcement, the government said that it would evaluate the Meningie and Narrung Lakes Irrigators Association five-point plan. The plan included a proposed interconnector as the association believes it would add fresher water to the Coorong, having a positive impact on both the Coorong and Lake Albert.

I am advised that, despite numerous invitations to visit the area, the minister and his predecessor have not made the trip to Lake Albert to meet with the local community since the end of the drought, over two years ago. Primary producers and irrigators whose livelihood relies on Lake Albert and the Coorong are concerned and bemused. Farmers in the area face an uphill battle and are still facing the impact of drought with unusable water for stock or irrigation and with salinity levels in Lake Albert approaching 4,000 EC. The irrigation industry which once boomed and underpinned the entire region's economy no longer exists. My questions are:

1. Will the minister confirm that issues of water quality in the Coorong are part of the scoping study?

2. Has the minister considered the Meningie and Narrung Lakes Irrigators Association's five-point plan and the interconnector between the Coorong and Lake Albert to tackle water quality issues?

3. Will the minister confirm that the merits of a permanent regulator in the Narrung Narrows will be examined as part of the scoping study?

4. Does the minister acknowledge that the state government's recent strategy to lower salinity levels in Lake Albert has failed?

5. When does the minister plan to meet with the local community, including irrigators and primary producers, to discuss the challenges facing the Coorong and Lake Albert?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:30): I thank the honourable member for his most important question, and I can advise that I will take those issues on notice and bring back a response.