Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says South Australia’s Lower Lakes and Coorong have been let down by long-term poor management that must be counter-acted by a national takeover of the Murray-Darling river system.

“The mess that the Murray is in shows that having multiple jurisdictions trying to manage our national waterway just doesn’t work,” said Senator Hanson-Young.“The river does not recognise state borders.

“We need one set of rules for one river system, and an authority with the teeth to manage it properly.

“The battle for the Lower Lakes’ survival is not just for South Australia to fight alone.

“The South Australian Government’s efforts haven’t managed to do the job, so intervention from above is needed.

“The Rudd Government must step in with a national takeover of our national river system, before it is all too late.”