As public consultation on the prospect of flooding South Australia’s Lower Lakes with salt water closes today, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says that State and Federal Governments must commit to delivering fresh water to the lakes while bioremediation programs are established.

$10 million of new money for bioremediation programs around the Lower Lakes was negotiated by Senator Hanson-Young as part of the economic stimulus package. Bioremediation involves mulching and planting on ‘hotspots’ of soil that have been exposed due to receding lake levels, dried out, and become acidic and toxic.

“The Greens were glad to secure new money to rescue the Lower Lakes. The lakes have now been bought some precious time by this investment in bioremediation, pushed by the Greens,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“Now what the lakes need is for fresh water, to be delivered as a priority for the lakes’ long-term survival.

“Bioremediation and fresh water are the two things that will stave off that worst-case scenario of salt water flooding of the Lower Lakes.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the Greens were disappointed in the Federal Government’s refusal to commit to delivering temporary fresh water for the Lower Lakes.

“Last week, as part of the stimulus package negotiations, the Greens called on Water Minister Wong to purchase some temporary water to give the lakes a fighting chance,” she said.

“At current prices, $9 million could have bought 30 gigalitres. But Minister Wong said no.”

Senator Hanson-Young said bioremediation and fresh water were what the Lower Lakes communities had been calling for, with little positive response from the South Australian and Federal Governments.

“Throughout my visits to meet with the Lower Lakes communities, time and time again I hear the same message: they do not want salt water flooded into the lakes. They want fresh water, and while this is being secured, they want bioremediation to keep those acid sulphate soils at bay.

“The bioremediation is now being kicked into gear.

“Now what the Greens and the Lower Lakes communities want to know is: where is the commitment from Government to deliver the fresh water?”