Legislative Council Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1) 53 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Lake Albert Scoping Study Lake Albert Scoping Study The Hon. J.S. LEE Legislative Council Lake Albert Scoping Study The Hon. J.S. LEE (16:06): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Water and the River Murray a question regarding Lake Albert. Leave granted. The Hon. J.S. LEE Legislative Council The Hon. J.S. LEE: In September this year the Lake Albert scoping study was released, which investigated reducing the salinity of Lake Albert. The minister stated in his media release that the study found that raising and lowering of lake levels is the best management option. Since its release the wider community has expressed concern and indicated that construction of a Coorong connector would be a preferred option and has urged the state government to undertake an environmental impact statement. Many concerns stem from the 1980s trials of cycling, which caused salinity levels in Lake Albert to increase. On 12 November Associate Professor David Paton, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Adelaide University, stated on radio that an environmental impact statement is a logical thing. My question to the minister is: will the minister consider conducting an environmental impact statement and ensure the best possible long-term outcome for Lake Albert? The Hon. I.K. HUNTER Legislative Council Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (16:08): My answer is no, and we have already determined the best possible long-term outcome for Lake Albert.