The Conservation Council of South Australia today welcomed the South Australian government's budget allocation for the River Murray.
"We know that getting water back into the Murray is the first and most pressing priority for restoring the River's health" said Simon Divecha, CEO, Conservation Council of South Australia
"The River needs at least an extra 1,500 billion litres of water a year. Most of this water has to come from upstream and these communities will need to adjust to using less water.
"South Australia is leading the way to make this happen with this announcement for water funding"
"The levy amounts to 15 million dollars in the first year and 20 million per year thereafter"
It is estimated that 1,500 billion litres of water for the river, will require up to one and a half billion dollars of spending. If the federal government was to pay half (three-quarters of a billion), over ten years, then Victoria, NSW and SA's share could be $250 million over a decade. A fair water system would allow for some of these costs to be met by the increase in the value of water licences.
"The Murray is a national priority. It is reasonable that the federal government finds at least three quarters of a billion dollars over ten years for its water. On defence security we spent a similar amount in one year at war in Iraq. This is a small amount to secure our environmental future"
"South Australia's announcement is a clear call for action upstream and federally. We need to fix the Murray quickly for the sake of its environment, as well as South Australia's quality or life and our economy"
"At the same time other environmental issues in this state need to continue to be addressed. We must be careful that money for the Murray does not create new Murray-like problems with funding cuts on other environmental programs" concluded Mr Divecha
For More Information: Simon Divecha, CEO, CCSA 0417 879 439
