Hurry Save The Murray!

World Wetlands Day: How will we celebrate?
(A Media Release of the River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group Inc)

The Murray-Darling is ailing but recent floodwaters hold hope for recovery. The River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group Inc (RLCAG) is calling for future planning that enshrines the principle that the environment is the first beneficiary of floods.

“We now have the water flowing through the system,” says the RLCAG, “So who has the vision to act now to save Australia’s River?”

“Currently most documents begin with statements regarding the drought which is gripping the southern part of the Murray-Darling Basin system, gesture towards a fresh water solution, mention over-allocation and mismanagement and then explore various options for managing scarcity. Where is the planning for floods?” asks Professor Diane Bell of the RLCAG. “We need to act now.”

“We have been told over and over that there is not enough water to keep Lakes Alexandrina and Albert fresh but then Cyclone Laurence brought heavy rains to the NT, NSW, Queensland and northern SA. We do not need to pray for rain, we need to be planning for droughts and floods. This is, after all the “land of droughts and flooding rains”. We need to understand the rhythm of the river.”

“Will the Federal Government act in the interests of the whole river? We are already part of the way there. Don’t stop the flow now. We believe it makes good ecological sense and good economic sense for the floods waters to continue to flow through the system. There is water in the system. Here are some of the numbers of which we are aware:
• 8-900 GL flowing down the Darling River and more to come
• 148 GL negotiated in January 2010 for environmental needs of Lakes Alexandrina and Albert and more to come?
• 20 GL found by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
• 170 GL in reserve announced in November 2009 by the SA Govt, already beginning to flow to Lakes Alexandrina and Albert
• 50 GL to offset the pumping from Lake Alexandrina into Lake Goolwa
• 30 GL to be pumped from Lake Alexandrina in Lake Albert
• 350 GL annual dilution flow

“Why continue spending precious money, expending energy and generating angst in local communities with short term, dead end plans? These floodwaters are an opportunity to act right now for the health of the whole river. Who will take the initiative, cut through the bureaucratic red tape and have the courage to act for our future? Let’s make history for future generations on World Wetlands Day 2010.”