MORE than $37 million in new funding is set to generate further improvements in Riverland environmental health, and could see a local research facility spearheading programs to increase native fish stocks.
Federal and South Australian State Governments last month announced the $37.6 million Sustaining Riverland Environments program, aimed at developing further river infrastructure and the support of native fish species.
Minister for Water Keith Pitt said further investment in projects benefitting river health was necessary to “mitigate delays” in reaching Murray-Darling Basin Plan targets.
“Basin governments are pushing forward with recovery of the 450 gigalitres but I recognise recovery is slower than anticipated,” Mr Pitt said.
“I don’t want to see river health go backwards and it’s good to see progress on 150 gigalitres of projects.”
Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone said the construction of infrastructure at Lock 3 – similar to works conducted at Lock 4 – would maximise the area’s environmental potential.
“They are going to put more Federal Government money into this program (and) into achieving the Sustainable Diversion Limits,” Mr Whetstone said.
“Obviously Lock 3 has a lot of environmental assets there… and (it) has been somewhat vulnerable. It needs works done on it so they can undertake those environmental operations.
“I see this as a real win for the health of the ecosystem in the Riverland… at the end of the day we’re looking to have a healthy, working river and putting money into Lock 3 will benefit operations for enhancing the environment.”
Mr Whetstone expected an $8 million South Australian-specific native fish fund – targeting population growth in species such as the Murray cod and golden perch – would be run from the Loxton Research Centre.
“For far too long we’ve watched New South Wales and Victoria breeding and releasing native fish fingerlings into the river,” he said.
“When we want to catch those sorts of fish, particularly Murray cod, we go into Victoria and New South Wales.
“I think it’s a great chance to put a facility at the Loxton Research Centre.
“It would strategically be the best place. It’s on the river and the Riverland should be home to the native fish strategy in South Australia.”
Mr Whetstone said having larger populations of native fish – which could be caught recreationally – would generate tourism benefits for the Riverland.
“I don’t think there’s any better experience than being on the river, being among a healthy environment and having the capacity to catch a native fish,” he said.
“If we can achieve what’s being achieved across the border in Victoria and New South Wales, we’ll go a long way to capturing a large tourism audience.
“I’m sure every Riverlander would support having the opportunity to catch more native fish, and making sure our infrastructure assets are back up to speed.”
Mr Whetstone said working toward a sustainable River Murray system would also benefit Riverland agricultural producers.
“It’s a very large system and it’s going to need a large amount of money to bring back to sustainability, but along the way… the whole pack of cards has to be put on the table,” he said.
“Irrigators in South Australia have led the nation in water efficiencies, and we now need to lead the nation with some of our environmental works and some of our native fish initiatives.
“They’ve conceded it is taking longer than expected, and I understand that, but it’s about working towards that 450GL and achieving Basin Plan targets.”