Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has backed the
Australian Conservation Foundation’s call for the Federal Government to
purchase water from properties in western New South Wales and
Queensland to save South Australia’s dying Lower Lakes and Coorong.

“We should not be ready to give up. There are solutions still available,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“The Federal Government should be considering every option within
its power – and its power is immense – to avert this environmental
catastrophe.

“We are at the point where the Commonwealth purchase of water, from
properties such as the six nominated in the Australian Conservation
Foundation’s paper, should most definitely be on the table.

“Three of those six properties are currently on the market. This is
a golden opportunity for the Federal Government to step in and start
taking action immediately.

Senator Hanson-Young said Medindee Lakes could be used in the
short-term to replenish the Lower Lakes and help save the Coorong, and
then Medindee Lakes could be stocked up with water purchased and
transferred from storages further north in the Darling Basin.

“The water is there, but the political will from the Government isn’t,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“This dire situation requires immediate, decisive action. It’s a state of emergency and needs to be treated as such.

“Australia cannot preside over the death of its internationally recognised Coorong and Lower Lakes,” she concluded.