At a Press Conference, hosted by David Winderlich, in Parliament House, Drs Mike Geddess and Diane Bell spoke of the ecology of the Lower Lakes.
“The public has been assured that management is guided by ‘world’s best science’ but, as scientists with many years of experience in research and monitoring in the region, we do not agree. Nor do we believe that ‘world’s best management’ is in evidence,” claimed Michael Geddes, Visiting Research Fellow, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide and KF Walker, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide. Their views are set out in the statement sent to Ministers Karlene Maywald and Jay Weatherill on July 31, 2009. ecologist-statement-090731_clayton-statement
“The community has been asking for the science that informs the decision-making process regarding management of the Lower Lakes,” says Diane Bell, Professor Emerita of Anthropology, George Washington University, USA. “Now we have confirmation of what we have been demonstrating from our local knowledge. There are alternatives to engineering solutions.” Ten community questions, which mirrored the concerns of the ecologists were circulated. pr-rlcag-community-questions-050809
Monitoring continues. Diane Bell was delighted to slosh through the Finniss River and find the water to be humic and healthy.
Today the splendid silence persisted. No trucks. Let’s keep it that way. A white car drove part way down the dam/regulator at regular intervals.
In the absence of a statement from the SA Government regarding the work stop questions proliferated:
Did the workers need time off? They certainly have been working flat out for over 5 weeks. But, who ever heard of a major construction stopping work for worker holidays? Were there no relief crews who could have continued the construction?
Could there be health and safety issues? There have been slumps and the construction is now at the deepest part of the channel and showing signs of more slumping. Is it safe for heavy equipment?
Could there be engineering issues? How much sand will be needed to push through the displaced mud and tsunami of silt to close the gap?
In the name of science and common sense, the River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group Inc. is happy to claim responsibility for stopping construction. They are concerned with the need to clean up the site. The silt continues to spread. So where is the EPA? The mud skirt is wrapping itself around the dam/regulator.
![Array](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3783987903_59e67c00e5_m.jpg "The "mud skirt" continues to wrap itself around the dam/regulator. The mud is not being contained. Where is the EPA?")
The banks have slumped. The whine of the trucks has gone. The wind-blown stream of water from the Finniss, moving east, right to left, has dragged the yellow “mud skirt”around the end of the construction and its up-welling of heavy black mud. The softer, more mobile sediments in the foreground are being moved by the current. This demands attention but the SA Government denies there is a disaster.
![Array](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3781145468_21db7e38e6_m.jpg "The wind-blown stream of water from the Finniss River, moving east, right to left, has dragged the yellow "mud skirt"around the end of the construction and its up-welling of heavy black mud. The softer, more mobile sediments in the foreground are being moved by the current.")
The community celebrated the silence and after a busy day at the Embassy attended the launch of Cynthia Jones photographic exhibit “I love and sunburnt country”.
![Array](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3486/3797378465_a13e0e3447_m.jpg ""I love a sunburnt country"")
Today, the police presence to which we are becoming accustomed intensified. The “lone kayak protester” was ready to take to the water again. Murray the turtle made an appearance. A couple from Langhorne Creek went fishing but on their second trip were escorted back to shore by the police. Several boats found themselves stranded on the Lake side of the dam/regulator. Apparently there was no signage to tell them the passage was blocked. Channel 7, 9 and 10 were present. The protester did not take to the water but the message was clear. This dam/regulator is not needed. There is no emergency.
The work has stopped. The relief is palpable. The whine and beeps of the trucks have permeated the lives of Clayton residents is gone. An almost peaceful day.
Listen carefully: the country is speaking. This dam/regulator should not be cutting off the tributaries from the Lake. This afternoon a section of the bank of the dam/regulator Lake side collapsed and work stopped.
The Fresh Water Embassy encourages the workers to have a good break and the sponsors of the dam/regulator, the SA Government, take a good look at the damage they are doing. It is not too late to stop the work entirely. The first flush has come down the tributaries. The Goolwa Channel has not been overwhelmed with acid. There is no need for the dam/regulator.
Each day the Embassy has a different look.
Matt and Dave on ABC 891 have been following water politics, but today was the first time they have focussed on the Clayton Bay dam/regulator. In preparation for the broadcast, they had been briefed by the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) but nothing prepared Matt for the spectacle of the mud wave and slumping banks he saw from the cliff face. He painted a word picture for Dave who was in the Adelaide studio with Allan Holmes ( DEH Chief Executive). Visit the ABC website for visuals and audio.
Ngarrindjeri elder, Tom Trevorrow, spoke movingly of his country and his opposition to the constructions that were destroying what were once connected waterways. Drs Diane Bell and Mike Geddes both disagreed with the interpretation Allan Holmes was placing on the recent EPA report of the acid threat for the Goolwa Channel. Both pointed to the general health of the eco-system and the damage now and in the future represented by the dam/regulator.
The school children from Milang expressed their dismay and pleaded for fresh water for the turtles they have been saving. Local residents spoke of their concerns with the 24/7 pumping and were told it would be within EPA guidelines; with the lack of attention to the Water Allocation Plan for the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges; with the emotional truama being visited upon the community.
Many cups of tea, coffee along with bacon, eggs, sausages and bread were served at the Embassy where staff gathered to listen on the radio to what was being said on the cliff.
Stayed tuned for photos of the day.
