Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the plight of the lower Murray is being ignored by the Federal Government, which has a responsibility to intervene before weirs and salt water flooding destroy the Lower Lakes.

It has been reported that South Australia’s Lower Lakes and Coorong are at risk of losing their place on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

“The Federal Environment Minister and the Prime Minister are in line to be the first leaders in Australian history to preside over the death of an internationally significant environmental site,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“This is not just a battle for South Australia to fight alone.

“When will Environment Minister Garrett do his job, intervene to put the environment first, and ensure that the Ramsar listing is not lost?

“When is Prime Minister Rudd going to recognise that he has a responsibility in this?”

Senator Hanson-Young noted that the proposals being referred by the South Australian Government to the Federal Government will not save the Lower Lakes.

“Not one proposal put forward by the South Australian Government to its federal counterpart is designed to rescue Lake Alexandrina, Lake Albert nor the Coorong,” she said.

“Not one weir, not one regulator, not the opening of barrages to allow salt water flooding will do this.

“What we urgently need from our governments is an integrated strategy, which includes securing fresh water flows, to rescue the lower Murray, Lakes and Coorong before it is all too late.”