Cobbler Creek

In reply to the Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15 October 2015).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): The Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation has received this advice:

1. Staff from Natural Resources, Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges (NR AMLR) have met with officers from the City of Salisbury and the City of Tea Tree Gully.

2. To address some of stormwater impacts on the creek, NR AMLR staff, the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, and the Stormwater Management Authority (SMA) are working with the two local governments to develop a Stormwater Management Plan (SMP).

A SMP will address some of the impacts of stormwater flows on the creek, including erosion of its bed and banks, the quality of stormwater runoff, and stormwater harvesting. Once the SMP is approved by the SMA, the Cities of Salisbury and Tea Tree Gully will be eligible to apply for funding from the Stormwater Management Fund.

3. The SMP includes provisions to harvest stormwater for reuse by local councils. I am aware that the City of Salisbury is already harvesting stormwater from Cobbler Creek, and that it intends to continue to do so as part of sustainable stormwater and creek management. I am also aware that the SMP is likely to make recommendations regarding the provision of incentives to private landholders in regard to harvesting rainwater on site.