04 August 2011 in Media
News that the Federal and State Labor Government’s have finally come to an agreement to fund the removal of the Clayton regulator will be a welcome relief for communities around the Lower Lakes.
However, both Governments should not interpret this welcome relief as a standing ovation for a job well done.
This agreement has been plagued by delays and both Federal and State Water Ministers need to explain why this wasn’t competed months ago.
When the decision to build the regulator was announced, the Government said it would be removed as soon as environmental conditions were met.
These conditions were met in February, six months ago. It is unacceptable that it took half a year to reach a funding agreement.
The Government was quick to announce funding to build it; why couldn’t they quickly announce funding to remove it?
This delay has hindered water flows into the Goolwa Channel and potentially reduced the environmental benefits of recent floodwaters entering the system.
The State Water Minister must now ensure the tendering process to actually remove the regulator is carried out as quickly as possible.