RESETTING relationships previously damaged for “political gain” is top on the agenda for new Water and Environment Minister David Speirs.
Disappointed with the previous government’s attitude towards the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, the former opposition spokesperson is already on the front foot, having spoken with federal and interstate politicians about the future of the River Murray.
Mr Speirs is expected to visit Canberra this week to speak with federal leaders, and has already spoken with NSW Water Minister Niall Blair and Vic counterpart Lisa Neville about the plan.
“There is no doubt SA has the most to lose if the MDBP was to implode and fall apart,” he said.
“The plan might not be perfect, but the river took 100 years to stuff up, and it will take a significant period of time to fix.
“The plan gives us structure, direction and the levers to actually manage the river.”
Following his conversations with Mr Blair and Ms Neville, Mr Speirs said he felt “encouraged” to get the plan back on track.
“It will not mean rolling over and expecting SA to give in,” he said.
“But we will be looking to reach a conclusion that benefits everyone and saves the plan.”
Mr Speirs said he wanted an agreement from the federal, NSW and Vic governments that the plan would be retained, preserved and worked towards.
It will not mean rolling over and expecting SA to give in.
- DAVID SPEIRS
Alongside the MDBP, Mr Speirs will be pushing to have Natural Resources Management legislation changed, and aims to have it “well advanced” during the Liberal Party’s first year in office.
The pledge to dissolve NRM boards came to light in October following a significant loss of “goodwill” between the government and land managers.
“The proposal (is a) definite intention to transfer environmental control, ownership and decisions back to the community,” he said.
It would involve abolishing the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Rangers board, and creating three separate boards – Green Adelaide for the CBD, another for the Hills and Fleurieu, and a third for the Adelaide Plains and Valleys.
The other existing boards across the state are expected to stay roughly the same.
“We want to the boards to get back to basics in terms of soil and water management and pest eradication,” he said.
Mr Speirs expected community consultation to commence within weeks.
