SA Govt releases environmental watering plan

Water and the River Murray Minister Ian Hunter said the plan’s release represents the next important milestone in SA’s firm commitment to the Basin Plan being completed on time and in full.

“We have long stated we will settle for nothing less than the agreed delivery of 3200 gigalitres down the system each year – which we fought hard for – because we know it is the minimum volume of water needed to keep this critically important river system in health,” he said.

“This is the first long-term environmental watering plan to be developed for the SA River Murray Water Resource Plan Area, and accords with the Basin Plan’s environmental management framework.

“It covers the main River Murray channel; its floodplain and wetlands, and the Ramsar-listed Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region, and will be key to delivering water that has been recovered for the environment.

“It is based on the best-available scientific knowledge as well as experience gained through many years of environmental water management, and a sound understanding of the SA River Murray ecosystem.

“This plan details the optimal long-term pattern of environmental water delivery to South Australia in order to support a healthy, functioning ecosystem.

“It is consistent with the MDB Authority’s Basin-wide Environmental Watering Strategy (2014), as well as work completed in SA’s annual environmental watering plans and many long-running environmental water management projects.

“The development of this plan has given South Australians a great opportunity to express how they would like to see environmental water delivered, and what ecological results are important for the River Murray – the life blood of this state.

“I look forward to delivering this plan in partnership with the MDBA, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, other Basin states, the community and local indigenous groups, and non-government organisations.”