Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young today told a rally of hundreds of concerned South Australians that “business as usual” for the River Murray has to change for the survival of river communities, as well as the river itself.

“We are all legitimate water users,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

“It’s time we started sharing what water we do have more fairly – and that includes giving the river its fair share.

“Eighty per cent of the Murray-Darling Basin’s iconic wetlands have already faded into history.

“The Coorong cannot be written off as collateral damage caused by decades of mismanagement.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the Senate Inquiry into Water Management in the Lower Lakes and Coorong, which will report back this week, had been illuminating in showing the way forward from the crisis in the Murray-Darling Basin.

“Now that we have the information on the table we need to hand it over to a taskforce of experts who can turn the Inquiry’s findings into action.

“We know there is water which could be used to save the lower lakes - what we now need is the political will to give the river and lakes a fighting chance.”

Senator Hanson-Young said that a swiftly implemented nationally managed system was imperative for South Australia’s water security.

“The basin plan must be fast-tracked now to bring all states into line,” she said.

“Ten years’ time, or five years’ time, is simply too slow – a nationally managed system must be implemented in the next 12 to 24 months.”

Senator Hanson-Young said that South Australians were looking to their political leaders for dialogue and action on water.

“Our community is crying out for leadership and action from its political leaders to move forward from here,” she said.

“The dialogue must begin with proper community consultation.”

Senator Hanson-Young applauded the South Australian community’s recognition of the scope of the Murray’s catastrophic condition.

“We in South Australia realise that things need to change, that water use overall will have to reduce if we are to address the crippling symptoms of over-allocation,” she said.

“We need to be upfront and honest about this, and rather than put off the inevitable, we must ensure that we make changes sooner rather than later.

“South Australian water users are sick of living under a cloud of uncertainty and want to be supported in making the necessary adjustments.

“The Greens will continue to keep the needs of the communities right along the Murray at the top of the political agenda, before it’s all too late,” she said.

For further information please call Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760