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A proposal to transfer sea water from the Coorong to freshwater Lake Alexandrina has been determined by the Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts to be a controlled action under national environment law.

Environment Minister, Peter Garrett said today’s decision meant the proposal would be subject to a rigorous process of environmental assessment and public consultation under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

“The assessment will examine the potential impacts of South Australia’s proposal on several nationally protected matters, including the ecological character of Ramsar wetlands, threatened species and migratory species,” Mr Garrett said.

“The South Australian Government is now required to develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for assessment and public comment.

“This process will also be required to consider other long term options for protecting this important system and prevent acidification in the Lower Lakes.

“While this will be a thorough and rigorous assessment, my department will be working closely with the South Australia Government to ensure that this process is completed as quickly as possible.”

Invitations for public comment will be advertised in the print media and through the department’s website www.environment.gov.au/epbc

A final decision on whether or not the proposal to transfer sea water from the Coorong to Lake Alexandrina can proceed will be made at the conclusion of this EIS and public comment process.

Background information:

• The Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council, on 14 November 2008, approved a strategy that if critical thresholds are reached, the barrages between the Coorong and Lake Alexandrina should be opened to transfer the minimum necessary quantities of salt water to avoid acidification in the Lower Lakes.
• The Environmental Impact Statement assessment process:
  • The SA Government must prepare an EIS in accordance with guidelines established by the Environment Minister.
  • The EIS outlines and analyses all potential environmental impacts and how these will be managed by the proponent.
  • The EIS is then released for public comment for a minimum of 20 business days.
  • Once the public comment period closes, the SA Government updates the EIS to respond to the comments received.
  • The SA Government will then submit the final EIS to the Environment Minister.
  • The Environment Minister then has 40 business days to make his final decision.
  • NOTE: No statutory timeframe applies to proponent’s preparation of the draft EIS and the final EIS

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