Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Federal Government must act immediately rather than make excuses for the critical state of South Australia’s Lower Lakes.

“It’s a dreadful shame that the Federal Government has run up the white flag on the Lower Lakes,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“What hope can lower Murray communities have when the Water Minister, herself a South Australian, has given up on the Lakes?

“Despite what Minister Wong insists, there is water available in the system.

“There is also $200 million of federal money in the kitty, waiting for the State Government to use to save the Lakes.

“Minister Wong must be ensuring that those funds are put towards purchasing water for desperately needed environmental flows, and employing local workers to activate interim bioremediation programs to keep acidification at bay.”

Senator Hanson-Young said losing the Lower Lakes would have a vast impact beyond the immediate area.

“The death of the Lower Lakes would have a devastating impact not only on the local environment, the Lakes communities, and the wetlands’ internationally significant Ramsar listing, but also on the rest of the river.

“It’s an impending disaster for the rest of the river system, starting with the quality of water above Wellington – which could have serious implications for Adelaide’s water supply as long as it’s taken from the Murray.

"Those relying on the Murray in the Riverland region are also being promised death by a thousand cuts by the Government’s inaction and excuses.

“The Greens will continue to fight for a timely fresh water solution, before it is all too late for the Lakes and Coorong."