12 December 2008 in Mayo News
The Hon Peter Garrett MP
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Arts
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Minister,
I refer to the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert emergency management response released on 28 November 2008 with a deadline for comment of 12 December 2008.
It seems to me that this is a momentous once in a century decision and allowing just ten working days for those interested to respond makes it extremely difficult for you and your department to gain any meaningful input.
On Wednesday this week I toured the Lower Lakes by boat and was amazed by the resurgence of national and state listed flora and fauna species in the area following moderate rains in August. I urge you to do the same.
Australia is enduring a once in 100 year drought but it will rain again and we should not underestimate the capacity of the lakes to regenerate.
Flooding sea water into the lakes would be a short sighted and non reversible option that will destroy the ecology of the area and has little or no community support. As Henry Jones a local fisherman describes, it is the atomic option.
In addition to this, the justification for flooding the Lower Lakes with sea water has been to avoid exposure of acid sulphate soils, there appears evidence that the lakes are finding a natural solution to this problem.
A rushed decision would be the worst possible outcome for our country, at the very least I urge you to conduct a full environmental impact study.
I respectfully request you consider leaving the Lower Lakes as nature intended, a fresh water environment.
Yours Sincerely
Jamie Briggs MP
cc. The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP
The Hon Greg Hunt MP