ACF urges emergency action for Murray Lower Lakes and the Coorong
Date: 18-Jun-2008
With a new scientific report warning the Murray River’s Lower Lakes could be beyond recovery if they do not receive water by October, the Australian Conservation Foundation has called on the Federal Government to take emergency action to save the Coorong and the Lower Lakes.
The report, prepared by a scientific panel and presented to the Murray-Darling ministerial council in May, said there was a six month window of opportunity to return water to the lower Murray before the unique ecology of the area is irreversibly damaged.
But the ministerial council has deferred consideration of the report until November.
Dr Arlene Buchan, healthy rivers campaigner for the Australian Conservation Foundation, said the Government must look at an emergency rescue package much sooner than November.
“The scientists have used unusually strong language in this report,” she said.
“The report leaves no doubt about the need for water, the urgency of the problem, the short period of time available and the consequences of not acting.
“There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to provide sufficient freshwater flows to the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert to prevent irreversible ecological loss and damage.
“ACF urges the Federal Government to urgently examine the feasibility of emergency rescue options and present them to the COAG meeting on 3 July for decision.”