The Coorong and Lower Lakes region, a vital part of Australia’s largest river system located at the end of the River Murray, is set to benefit from a substantial $26.2 million investment. This funding, jointly provided by the Australian and South Australian governments, will propel the next phase of the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program. This initiative aims to revitalise the area known for its significant ecological and economic value.
The Coorong supports a diverse array of wildlife, including 11 threatened species and 6 threatened migratory waterbird species, along with 2 threatened ecological communities. It also attracts over 100,000 waterbirds annually and is a hotspot for more than 30,000 migratory shorebirds each summer. The economic contribution of the region is notable as well, with tourism bringing in approximately $130 million per year and commercial fishing activities generating up to $13 million annually.
The additional funding announced will target several key areas under Phase 2 of the program. It will focus on the development of detailed infrastructure designs intended to enhance the health and ecological character of the Coorong South Lagoon. This phase will also include on-ground restoration efforts aimed at reinstating essential environmental and ecological processes. Crucially, it will strengthen community and First Nations partnerships to merge scientific, local, and cultural insights into the restoration strategy.
This latest funding injection increases the total allocation to the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program to $77.8 million since its inception in 2018. Past initiatives have seen collaborations with local communities, Ngarrindjeri, and the First Nations of the South East to bridge significant knowledge gaps. These partnerships have facilitated advanced scientific studies and led to enhancements in water forecasting, modelling, and the habitat for migratory shorebirds through projects at locations such as the Teringie Wetlands, Tolderol Game Reserve, and Lake Hawdon North.
The urgency of these efforts was underscored by the findings of the ‘State of the Coorong’ discussion paper released in September. The document underscored the Coorong’s deteriorating condition and its risk of failing to maintain critical social and ecological functionalities. To address these concerns, the Coorong Restoration Roadmap was also released, setting forth essential processes and principles aimed at rehabilitating the area to its former ecological state.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said, “We all remember what happens when we don’t work together to protect the Coorong – dry lakebeds, acidic soils, increased salinity, mass fish deaths and a river that does not flow to the sea.” she stated.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close, also stressed the broader significance of the program. “The State Government is committed to improving the health of the Coorong, both for the environment and for the communities that rely on it for their livelihoods and cultural connections,” Close explained. She noted the critical role of the Coorong in the overall health of the Murray-Darling Basin, reinforcing the importance of ongoing restoration efforts.
The continued investment and cooperation between the Australian and South Australian governments are pivotal in ensuring the enduring health and sustainability of the Coorong, preserving its ecological diversity and supporting the communities dependent on this vital wetland system.
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