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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-09-24 Daily Xml
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STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:47): I seek leave to make a statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Last week I had the pleasure of receiving South Australia's 2013 State of the Environment Report. This is the sixth such report, with the first being commissioned in 1988. Since then, every five years these reports have been undertaken in order to assess the condition of South Australia's environmental resources and share that information with the South Australian public.

I am pleased to advise that this year's report found a reduction in South Australia's greenhouse gas intensity of 42 per cent. Meanwhile, our economy has continued to grow, proving that a reduction in emissions can occur hand in hand with economic growth. There is more good news, such as more efficient use of water and an increase in water availability through diversification of supply. This is through the implementation of good government policy, which is recognised in this report.

This government has worked to maintain the quality of our water and has guaranteed water security by diversifying our water resources, a key part of our Water for Good plan. The Adelaide desalination plant has been fundamental in securing our water supply. The final design, with an output of 100 gigalitres, is capable of supplying half of Adelaide's water supply from a climate-independent source.

Whilst the report highlights that progress to better protect the state's natural environment has been made since the 2008 report, as expected the findings of the 2013 State of the Environment Report are mixed. Many of the challenges we face are similar to those faced in other Australian states and territories and in many other parts of the world. The 2013 State of the Environment Report places South Australia in the context of broader trends and acknowledges the significant contribution the state makes to global and national efforts to respond to environmental issues of concern.

The report highlights there has been growth in the state's population and economy, which results in pressure on natural resources and the environment through actions such as increased waste material and increased private vehicle use. As can be expected with any change in climate, there has been an increase in variability and extremes of rainfall and temperature.

The report notes that there has been a decline in the condition of native vegetation and biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. Since the 2008 report we have developed and established 19 marine parks, which cover around 44 per cent of the state's waters, or approximately 26,670 square kilometres in total. Marine parks were developed after extensive consultation with local communities and stakeholders. The implementation of marine parks will go a long way to provide protection for some of South Australia's most iconic and ecologically important areas.

This report is significant for a number of reasons. It draws together data and information from numerous and diverse sources to provide an objective and consolidated assessment of environmental trends and issues, provides clarity about what South Australia's environmental risks and pressures are, and sets out what is being done to protect the environment. A key recommendation of the report is the development of an environmental information strategy or plan to better drive coordinated and integrated environmental information and knowledge management.

In summary, improved information management processes are the key to successful environmental management. This informs how we make decisions to ensure sustainability and in turn human wellbeing and economic progress. I would like to thank all the staff at the EPA who have spent countless hours putting together this report. I would like to acknowledge those in the science community who undertook the peer review of the findings and those in the non-government sector who provided much valuable support.

The report outlines our achievements, but also where we need to go. I am looking forward to working with the South Australian community to ensure South Australia remains a sustainable state for many generations to come and also a world leader in environmental management. The publication of this authoritative report is an important reference tool for the community, business and government. I invite everyone to review aspects of this report, including a concise summary, and refer you to the report, which is now available online at www.epa.sa.gov.au. The government will now prepare a formal response to the report, which is expected to be released early next year.

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