Lakes communities deserve better communication from Govt

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says Environment Minister Peter Garrett must announce his decision on the fate of South Australia's Lower Lakes.

After a ten-day period of public consultation late last year, Minister Garrett had twenty working days to decide upon the appropriateness of seawater flooding of Lakes Alexandrina and Albert. An announcement was expected by December 31 2008.

"It's time for an announcement from the Minister," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"The Greens want to see Minister Garrett rule out seawater flooding of the Lower Lakes. 

"Rather than preparing for the worst-case scenario, we should be proactive in avoiding it. 

"State and federal government attention should be focussed on securing the long-term sustainability of the Lakes by acquiring freshwater flows, and investigating intermediate options such as bioremediation."

Senator Hanson-Young said the communities around the Lower Lakes were disappointed with the lack of consultation and communication from the Government.

"I last visited communities around the Lower Lakes over the Christmas break, and what I heard then, and what I've heard time and time again, is that these communities want better consultation from and communication with their elected representatives," she said.

"The locals, who rely on the Lakes, are finding out information based on what they read in the paper and hear on the radio, which isn't good enough.

"The Lakes communities are passionate about and determined to find a freshwater solution to this environmental crisis, and the Greens are supporting them in this fight."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760