GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (15:17): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister inform the chamber about the recent discoveries in the science relating to the Great Artesian Basin?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:17): Another remarkable question from the Hon. Mr Maher. Where does he get them from? Fortunately I happened to be at the launch of the Great Artesian Basin researchers forum, so I can give him some advice in this matter. The Great Artesian Basin is one of our nation's most important environmental assets. Living in South Australia—the driest state in the driest inhabited continent—we understand that managing such a vast supply of reliable fresh water wisely is of critical importance, particularly to our state.

I am pleased to advise that on 27 March I, together with the recently appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, Ms Amanda Rishworth MP, the member for Kingston, had the pleasure of launching two important research projects. These projects will provide government, industry and communities with important science and knowledge to ensure the sustainable management of the Great Artesian Basin. The Great Artesian Basin Water Resource Assessment and the Allocating Water and Maintaining Springs in the Great Artesian Basin research projects were funded by the federal government. The projects were delivered by the SA Arid Lands NRM Board, in partnership with a number of agencies and research organisations, including my Department for Environment, Water and Natural Resources. The reports provide the most comprehensive study of the basin since 1980, and the findings will help ensure its sustainability into the future.

Key points include that the western range of the basin (which is predominantly within South Australian borders) received the majority of its recharge water over 10,000 years ago during the wet periods of the Pleistocene period and since then there has been minimal recharge. This means that the Western Great Artesian Basin is in a state of natural long-term pressure decline, or more simply, the current discharge of water is greater than the recharge. This does not mean that the basin and its springs will dry up in the near term. What it does mean, however, is that we must continue to use the best science and best knowledge when it comes to managing such a critical resource for central Australia.

South Australia has always been a strong advocate for using the best science to inform policy and decision-making when it comes to matters of water, and it should come as no surprise to anyone in this chamber that the Weatherill government takes these matters of water very seriously. What we also take very seriously when managing the Great Artesian Basin is collaboration with our neighbours.

The basin, and indeed many of our water resources, is not restricted by our state's boundaries. Its flow does not begin or end with a state border and nor do the consequences of a single state's decisions. We know that South Australia cannot achieve the outcome we want—sustainability of water resources—without the support of our neighbours. That is why we are looking forward to using these reports to inform collaborative decision-making for the governments of Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory, to ensure that the basin is managed wisely.

I want to congratulate the various project partners performing this incredibly important research. As I said earlier, the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board and the National Water Commission were key drivers behind the research. We also received significant support from senior scientists and researchers from Adelaide University, Flinders University and the CSIRO. On behalf of the South Australian government, I want to thank them for all their support and acknowledge their critical role in helping our state and our nation learn more about this vital water resource, the Great Artesian Basin.