 |
Legislative
Council |
|
 |
||
| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
|
|
Legislative
Council |
|
|
||
| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
|
MURRAY RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS
In reply to Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT (31 May).
The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: The Minister for Water Resources has provided the following information:
1. Sustainable management of the River Murray in South Australia cannot be defined in just terms of a volume of water.
South Australia has negotiated a security entitlement flow of 1 850 gigalitres per year and this minimum volume will be received in all but years of extreme drought. Most years we will receive substantially more than this required minimum. The Murray mouth median flow is estimated to be 4 100 gigalitres per year. However, more critical than the annual volume of water received is the frequency of flood and high flow events. The South Australian government is actively participating in the Environmental Flows program being negotiated through the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. Through this process, the environmental flow requirements of the floodplain, wetlands and the river in South Australia will be addressed. Much work has already been done in terms of defining what flows are required to provide water to the different wetlands and floodplain areas. However, changes or savings within South Australia alone cannot bring about the changes to the flow regime required. 2. Making the most efficient use of our water resources is a critical component of their effective management. Through major infrastructure projects such as the rehabilitation of the Loxton Irrigation District, Primary Industries and Resources SA's Irrigated Crop Management Service and the River Murray Catchment Water Management Board's irrigation efficiency programs, significant improvements in irrigation and water delivery efficiency have already been made. For example the current program of rehabilitation of the Loxton Irrigation District will generate 4.8 gigalitres of water savings. A large proportion of these water savings will be returned to the river. Programs such as these will continue with the strong support of the government. 3. The government's commitment to improved water management is already evident by this government's commitment to programmes like the Qualco-Sunlands Groundwater Control Scheme. The South Australian government has committed $2.85m to this major infrastructure project to ensure the sustainable management of an important irrigation area. This government is working with the local community to encourage efficient use of water within a climate of ensuring that the external impacts of irrigation are eliminated.