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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-10-28 Daily Xml
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NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE: UPPER SOUTH EAST DRYLAND SALINITY AND FLOOD MANAGEMENT ACT

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (16:21): I move:

That the 36th report of the committee, on the Upper South East Dryland Salinity and Flood Management Act 2002, be noted.

Since December 2006, the Natural Resources Committee has been responsibility onsible for the oversight of the Upper South East Dryland Salinity and Flood Management Act 2002. This report relates to the committee's responsibilities under that act for the reporting period July 2008 to June 2009.

Our report summarises the Minister for Environment and Conservation's quarterly reporting to the committee and two reports commissioned by the Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation, which provide more information on the benefits and risks of proceeding with construction of the final drain components of the Upper South East Program.

In our previous Upper South-East report, tabled 12 months ago, we also dealt with issues drawn to our attention in the October and November 2008 public hearings, at a site visit in July 2008 and in written submissions from members of the public. We would not normally report outside the scope of the reporting period, but such was the significance of the matter brought to our attention that we resolved to bring it to the attention of the minister in that report.

This committee declined to make a recommendation regarding the proposed construction of the Bald Hill drain but, rather, suggested that the decision should be made on the strength of the independent environmental impact assessment. Members have since received a copy of 'Recent benefits to environmental values of the West Avenue watercourse and Bald Hill Flat associated with hydrological manipulation and drainage' drafted by Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation consultants GHD. The GHD risk assessment report noted that the current level of understanding regarding the West Avenue wetlands, the Bald Hill drain and reflows proposals was insufficient to accurately quantify the risks of the various options being considered.

The committee remains strongly supportive of the reflows concept of supplying additional water to wetlands, provided this can be undertaken without undue risk of further environmental damage. For example, the issue highlighted by GHD of introducing the pest species of fish, Gambusia, to the West Avenue wetlands needs to be worked through in order to protect vulnerable and endangered indigenous species. Without more water, many Upper South-East wetlands and their resident species do not have a future.

The committee notes that the construction of the proposed Bald Hill drain and reflows project is to go ahead. The decision by the minister will please some, but not everyone, however, in this instance. Pleasing everyone would appear to be impossible.

I wish to thank all those who gave their time to assist the committee with its inquiry. I also commend the members of the committee: the Presiding Member (Mr John Rau MP), the Hon. Graham Gunn MP, the Hon. Stephanie Key MP, the Hon. Caroline Schaefer MLC, the Hon. Lea Stevens MP and the Hon. David Winderlich MLC, for their contribution and support. All members have worked cooperatively throughout this inquiry. Finally, I thank the staff of the committee for their assistance. I commend this report to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. C.V. Schaefer.

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