Stop the weir: save the River Murray, lakes and the Coorong

The Wilderness Society (SA) Inc
Environment Victoria
Australian Conservation Foundation
Conservation Council of SA
Inland Rivers Network
River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group

Media Release

16 February 2007

Environment organisations from across the Murray Darling Basin have today joined forces to stop the building of a weir at Wellington on the Lower Murray.

We are shocked that any government would propose to sever the water supply from the Murray Darling Basin estuary. "If this weir goes ahead it will destroy the estuary and effectively represent the final nail in the coffin of the River Murray" said Peter Owen, SA Campaign Coordinator for The Wilderness Society.

"The Lower Murray Lakes and Coorong is a RAMSAR listed, internationally acclaimed wetland that has been allowed to decline to its current 'critically endangered' state due to the over-allocation of water to the irrigation industry. Governments must look at all options to provide water to Adelaide, not just those that will send the Coorong into oblivion" said Dr. Paul Sinclair, Director, Healthy Rivers Campaign, Environment Victoria.

"There are five critically endangered species of fish unique to the area that will be lost forever" said Henry Jones, River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group.

 "The only way to restore the system to health is to buy back water entitlements from irrigators and return them to the river" said Dr Arlene Buchan, Healthy Rivers Campaigner with the Australian Conservation Foundation.