Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has raised questions over the new Lower Lakes pipeline, which is officially opened today.

The pipeline has been built to supply potable water from Strathalbyn and Tailem Bend to communities around the Lower Lakes, including Narrung, Raukkan and Langhorne Creek, which have suffered water quality problems as the health of the lakes has declined.

While Senator Hanson-Young welcomed the pipeline as a source of safe drinking water for Lower Lakes households, she questioned the need for a significant connection fee to be paid to connect to it.

“This pipeline was made necessary by the fact that the Lower Lakes have not been looked after properly for a long time,” she said.

“The communities around the Lower Lakes have suffered from a situation that is not their fault, and this pipeline will provide some of the relief they deserve.

“However, I have had a number of constituents raise the issue of a connection fee of $3117 per household that must be paid to be able to access the pipeline.

“If the Federal Government can put up the money to build the pipeline, why then is SA Water charging people – who have no choice in their situation – to connect to it?

“Surely this could have been covered in the construction the pipeline, rather than Lower Lakes residents being penalised in their quest for decent drinking water.”

Senator Hanson-Young also called on the South Australian and Federal Governments to show real commitment to not flooding the Lower Lakes with salt water.

“Some have suggested that this pipeline is yet another step towards the construction of weirs around the Lower Lakes, and before flooding the lakes with salt water,” she said.

“Where is the commitment from the South Australian and Federal Governments that they will not take the devastating option of flooding the lakes with salt water?

“The only way for them to credibly demonstrate their commitment is for fresh water to be purchased immediately and delivered to the Lower Lakes.”