[Greens-Media] Greens won't give up on Lakes and Coorong communities

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

Monday 13 October 2008

Greens won't give up on Lakes and Coorong communities

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Greens will continue to stand
up for the communities of the Lower Lakes and Coorong and step up the
call for fresh water flows to the parched lower Murray, despite the
majority report from a Senate Inquiry saying there is not enough water
in the system to help the situation.

The Australian Greens have released a minority report on the Water
Management in the Lower Lakes and Coorong Inquiry, recommending 60
gigalitres of fresh water be sourced from the 1500 gigalitres currently
available in the southern Murray-Darling Basin.

"The Government has just run up the white flag on this issue," said
Senator Hanson-Young.

"It will be the communities around the lakes and Coorong, who are
already struggling, who will pay the biggest price.

"If you actually look at the evidence that was presented by witnesses at
the Inquiry hearings, it's clear to see that there is enough accessible
water in the basin to ensure that we don't go past the critical tipping
point.

"What's missing from this sorry situation is the political will. It
beggars belief that the Government thinks it's all too hard to source
just 60 gigalitres to tide these communities over until spring next
year, while we make the necessary changes for the longer-term." 

Senator Hanson-Young said that aside from the environmental catastrophe
that will ensue if more fresh water is not brought down to the lower
Murray, there will be  a disastrous impact on the economic and social
fabric of the lower Murray communities.

"During the Inquiry we heard from those who live and work around the
Lakes and Coorong of the acute impact being felt by the business and
wider communities there," she said.

"The Coorong Council tells us that a school there has lost a fifth of
their enrolments as young families move elsewhere for better
opportunities. The real estate market and tourism industry are both
dramatically down on previous years.

"This the human impact of environmental mismanagement."

Senator Hanson-Young called again for a taskforce to be set up to assess
the scientific, engineering and economic options for securing the
long-term health of the Coorong and Lower Lakes, as was moved for by the
Senate last month.

"With the unexpectedly good rain over winter, we dodged a bullet," she
said.

"We cannot waste this opportunity to get things right.

"Let's move from talk to action, set up this taskforce, and get
solutions underway for the sake of our Storm Boy country."

For more information: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760