CCSA response to the Draft Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan.
The following is a summary of CCSA recommendations:
1. CCSA strongly recommends that this plan also document a commitment to prepare an integrated surface and ground water Plan for the Lower Limestone Coast during the next five years for implementation in 2018. In the meantime, CCSA recommends that the economic, social and environmental risks be listed so that all stakeholders have the opportunity to manage their assets and future investments wisely.
2. CCSA recommends that allocations be progressively reduced to a sustainable portion of the sustainable yield (Target Management Limit) that has been identified as available to allocate.
3. CCSA recommends that the Board increases the allocation of water to a) the environment and b) the conservation needs of groundwater-dependent ecosystems and priority wetlands.
CCSA recommends that the Plan increases the buffer zone around wetlands and groundwater dependent ecosystem in accordance with the best available ecological and hydrogeological knowledge.
4. CCSA strongly recommends that the Aboriginal representative groups in this region are consulted; that the cultural water values and needs of aboriginal people are documented and provided for, as soon as possible and before the Final Plan is completed
5. CCSA recommends that adequate resources should be allocated to the monitoring, evaluation and reporting tasks in an ongoing way.

