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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-05-18 Daily Xml
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COORONG, LOWER LAKES AND MURRAY MOUTH REGION

Mr BIGNELL (Mawson) (14:19): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Conservation. How is the government helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water) (14:20): I thank the honourable member for this very important question. In 2008, near the height of the worst drought we have experienced, the basin states signed an intergovernmental agreement on Murray-Darling Basin reform that included $610 million for South Australia's priority projects under the Murray Futures program.

One of those projects is the Lower Lakes and Coorong Recovery Program, which enables us to put in place measures to build ecosystem resilience in responding to future periods of low water flows. In order to secure commonwealth funding, the state government developed a long-term plan for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region, the plan being simultaneously released in June last year with the announcement of $21 million of funding for early works, which aim to commence a number of actions in the region. Of course, those actions militate against further degradation of this iconic area.

Today, I was pleased to announce, along with the federal minister for the environment, the Hon. Tony Burke, down at Clayton that the Australian government has confirmed they will provide more than $118 million to support projects and other actions outlined in the long-term plan. The Australian government's contribution to recovery projects now totals more than $167 million, including $39.7 million previously allocated and $9.32 million set aside for the removal of the Goolwa Channel regulators, which is the subject of an ongoing assessment and negotiation.

I am also pleased to inform the house that, whilst my colleague and friend, the Hon. Tony Burke—the federal minister—and I agree that it has taken longer than we otherwise would have liked for the total removal of those regulators, quite simply it has been a delay that is going to be remedied by very quick action to remove those regulators as soon as practicable.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for MacKillop!

The Hon. P. CAICA: If the deputy leader and the very strong member for Hammond had kept digging whilst they were down there that day, instead of using it for a photo opportunity, it might almost be out now. I am also pleased to say that, in visiting the area today, as I understand it, a significant portion of the Narrung bund has been removed during the first phase of removal. Whilst we expected that to be out on or around 8 July, it will now be by the end of July, and we will work and start work soon on the Clayton regulator.

Getting back to the specifics of the question, combined with the South Australian government contribution, a total program commitment to the region now totals $186 million, with key elements included in the latest funding announcement being: a $39 million—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for MacKillop!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —vegetation program to stabilise the ecological decline of the region and to deliver a healthy and resilient wetland and community; up to $57 million to reset salinity levels in the Coorong, subject to technical feasibility and environmental management triggers.

An honourable member: We need to reset salinity in Lake Albert.

The Hon. P. CAICA: I just can't understand why they would complain about money being contributed to—

Mr Williams: Because nothing has been spent; you are just talking about it.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: There is $7.9 million to build capacity in the region by supporting the Ngarrindjeri Partnerships Project. There is the continuation of the hugely successful lakes community hubs at Milang and Meningie, and the establishment of a regional community advisory panel.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: What, you're saying you don't want to include the local community? Do you want to include the local community? They are your constituents.

Mr Williams: I know what they want and so do you.

The Hon. P. CAICA: He doesn't know anything. How can he know what they want; he doesn't know anything. The goal, of course, of the long-term plan is for the Coorong, the Lower Lakes and the Murray Mouth areas to be a healthy, productive and a resilient wetland system that maintains its international and local significance, consistent with the Ramsar listing.

The plan envisages that the Lower Lakes remain fresh water and operate at variable water levels, that the Murray Mouth remains open, that salinity in the Coorong is reduced, that the ecology of the area is protected and that there is water to sustain local communities. Of course, achieving this can only be done directly with the support of the economic, cultural and social wellbeing of these communities and it will directly support those. I was down there today.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: I was down there visiting the local community today while I assume that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was reading The Advertiser to get his questions set for today, but I will restate this: of course, achieving this will directly support the economic, cultural and social wellbeing of communities in this region with whom the government, both federal and state, has developed strong partnerships.

The government is particularly committed to working in partnership with the traditional owners of the area, the Ngarrindjeri, having cemented that commitment through an agreement with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority in 2009. This agreement provides a framework for the active participation of the Ngarrindjeri people in this significant project.

Whilst rainfall has improved the situation down there and flow conditions in the River Murray system—it has brought a welcome relief to the Coorong, the Lower Lakes and the Murray Mouth region—it needs to be borne in mind that it will take a sustained collaborative effort and further strategic action to properly rejuvenate the area to ensure its survival against the impacts of a changing climate and future periods of drought.

Ms Chapman: It survives despite you.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: It survived because of us.

Ms Chapman: Despite you.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Because of us. On behalf of the government, I thank everyone involved in the planning and everyone involved in the negotiating and delivering of these important projects, which are not only for the benefit of the people living and working in the local area but they are also significant for the long-term interests of all South Australians save and except, it would seem, the opposition.

Mr Williams: I can tell you, the voters don't thank you, Paul.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for MacKillop, you are very vocal today.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for MacKillop.

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