[Greens-Media] Greens back ACF call to buy Lake-saving flows

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Friday 8 August 2008


** MEDIA ALERT **

1.30pm TODAY: Senator Hanson-Young is holding a press conference on the
Murray and Lower Lakes in her office, 30 Pirie St, Adelaide 


Greens back ACF call to buy Lake-saving flows


Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has backed the
Australian Conservation Foundation's call for the Federal Government to
purchase water from properties in western New South Wales and Queensland
to save South Australia's dying Lower Lakes and Coorong.

"We should not be ready to give up. There are solutions still
available," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"The Federal Government should be considering every option within its
power - and its power is immense - to avert this environmental
catastrophe.

"We are at the point where the Commonwealth purchase of water, from
properties such as the six nominated in the Australian Conservation
Foundation's paper, should most definitely be on the table.

"Three of those six properties are currently on the market. This is a
golden opportunity for the Federal Government to step in and start
taking action immediately.

Senator Hanson-Young said Medindee Lakes could be used in the short-term
to replenish the Lower Lakes and help save the Coorong, and then
Medindee Lakes could be stocked up with water purchased and transferred
from storages further north in the Darling Basin.

"The water is there, but the political will from the Government isn't,"
said Senator Hanson-Young.

"This dire situation requires immediate, decisive action. It's a state
of emergency and needs to be treated as such.

"Australia cannot preside over the death of its internationally
recognised Coorong and Lower Lakes," she concluded.

For further information please call Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760