The River, Lakes and Coorong are a highly connected set of integrated waterways: lakes, river, tributaries, fresh, estuarine, saline, hyper saline, marine. Short-term emergency responses that disconnect the system undermine this. An integrated, independently refereed, multi-disciplinary plan is needed for recovery and management of the Lower Lakes.
Water release from upstream should have first priority if flow is inadequate. Local expertise should have due recognition and bio-remediation fully explored before any engineering solutions are attempted.
Notes
On 24 July 2009 The Age identified the Coorong as a crisis of national significance that would justify emergency action. A major concern is the proposed temporary weir near Pomanda Island. The name “temporary” does not seem appropriate, particualrly in view of the temporary weir at Clayton Bay, which is a dam that the local Ngarrindjeri people oppose.
An independent community group with on-the-ground expertise has been formed with a save-the-murray subgroup and a website with comments on the weir. They argue that the rationale for the weir, based on concern about acid soils, is unjustified and this has been verified during the recent rains.
The Ngarrindjeri Nation Sea Country Plan is an excellent introduction to the history and indigenous management of South Australia’s waters.
