Minister Burke must step up: MDBA Plan fails river health

MEDIA RELEASE

6 August 2012

Att: News Editors, Political and Environmental Reporters


Minister Burke must step up: MDBA Plan fails river health


The Murray Darling Basin Authority has today released its final Plan, a Plan that continues to reject the advice of Australia’s leading river scientists on what is required to restore our great river system to health.

Wilderness Society SA spokesman and South Australian of the Year for the Environment Peter Owen said the Plan failed to address the Basin's core problem, the over allocation of water to upstream irrigators.

"The failure to seriously address over allocation will devastate the environment and the economic viability of South Australian communities, dependent on a healthy Murray River for their future”.

"Whilst the Plan pays lip service to keeping the Murray Mouth open to flush the millions of tonnes of salt and pollutants that accumulate in the Lower Lakes each year, it fails to guarantee enough water to carry out this most basic ecological function”.

“This may put Australia in breach of its international obligations to RAMSAR wetlands”.

"The science is clear, for a healthy river we need to reduce the amount we currently take by at least 4000GL annually.”

“Minister Burke must step up and make sure the Plan is based on best available science and consistent with the Water Act 2007”.


Media Contact:    Peter Owen