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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-02-07 Daily Xml
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RIVER MURRAY ECO ACTION

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:33): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Water and the River Murray a question relating to the River Murray ECO Action group.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I'm sorry, Mr Wade.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Thank you, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: I am sorry, Mr Wade; leave has not been granted yet. I cannot hear you over the din of the Leader of the Opposition's wild and non-funny interjections.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Water and the River Murray a question relating to the River Murray ECO Action group.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: On 9 January 2013, it was reported that boat use would be restricted at 28 sites along the River Murray under a government-sponsored plan to reduce riverbank erosion. The plan is said to be part of the River Murray ECO Action group's campaign and a joint initiative of the Boating Industry Association of South Australia, Keep South Australia Beautiful and the South Australian government. At the time, the acting environment minister, the Hon. Patrick Conlon, commented that the government welcomed the initiative to reduce damage to the Murray. He is quoted as saying:

It highlights what boat owners can do to help minimise structural damage to the fragile riverbanks along the River Murray.

The plan has caused considerable concern in riverside communities. I understand that representatives from the River Murray ECO Action group have been unable to provide indepth information regarding the initiative. My questions are:

1. Will the minister explain the organisational make-up and purpose of the River Murray ECO Action group and what part the South Australian government plays in the work of that group?

2. Is the River Murray ECO Action group a name for a previous group focused on River Murray issues named the high energy working group?

3. Will the minister clarify why this action group was created and what selection criteria was used to choose its membership?

4. Will the minister indicate who this working group reports to, its scope and what time lines have been specified for its recommendations?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:34): Riverbank collapse was declared a state hazard under the State Emergency Management Plan in September 2009, following a series of significant and hazardous landslides along the banks of the River Murray downstream of Lock 1. The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources is the riverbank collapse hazard leader under the South Australian Emergency Management Plan.

Despite the recovery of water levels downstream of Lock 1, riverbank instability remains a significant hazard at sites affected during the period of unprecedented low water levels. Some affected areas will remain at risk into the foreseeable future. Where riverbanks are already damaged and showing signs of tension and cracking, there is no natural process whereby they will fully self-repair to their original condition. As I understand it, there has been no loss of life or personal injury to date. However, notable damage continues to affect property and infrastructure.

The current focus of the Riverbank Collapse Hazard Program is to identify a strategic long-term management approach to guide future management of the hazard, whilst continuing to offer advice to landowners and providing important safety information to the public. Site-specific management plans are being developed and implemented to assist in clearly identifying the management options for each site affected by riverbank collapse.

In recent months, completion of a comprehensive site risk management plan has enabled four sites to be reopened for public access and they have significantly benefited their local communities. I understand these are at Caloote, the landing boat ramp and riverfront area; the closed section of Mannum caravan park; a large section of Dickson Reserve at Tailem Bend, which is the main publicly accessible riverfront area in that township; and the Walker Flat river vessel waste disposal station, which was reopened to the public in December 2012 following recommendations from a geotechnical investigation.

My department will continue to work with local communities and local councils on this hazard and will be involving local communities along the way in discussions about how we can remediate the riverbank and as best we can ensure that there is no further damage into the future.

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