Fed: Conservationists blaming river trouble on fed govt

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-1999
Fed: Conservationists blaming river trouble on fed govt

CANBERRA, Dec 22 AAP - Conservationists today accused the federal government of failing
to address a national crisis threatening river systems and the quality of drinking water.

On Monday the federal and South Australian governments put Victoria on notice that
they would not allow water to be rediverted to the Snowy River at the expense of the Murray.

A recent Murray-Darling Commission audit showed high salt levels were threatening the
future of the river system and safe drinking water levels.

Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill expressed concern at Victoria's plan to restore
28 per cent water flow into the Snowy because of potential damage to the ailing Murray
basin.

Romantic notions about the Snowy were driving the debate, instead of environmental
or economic logic, he said.

But the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) accused Senator Hill of failing to
show leadership in the debate.

"The minister is still not tackling the salinity problem where it starts," ACF executive
director Don Henry said in a statement.

"He still allows a million trees a week to be cleared in Queensland.

"He still allows excessive water to be taken from the Snowy and the Murray rivers.

"And the minister allows irrigation water to be lost to evaporation."

The challenge of saving the nation's rivers was a national issue, he said.

"The challenge is for states and the commonwealth to stop playing politics and agree
to national actions and frameworks which look after our bush and our rivers," Mr Henry
said.

Earlier this week Victorian Premier Steve Bracks told Senator Hill to stop playing
partisan politics and start negotiating with Victoria and New South Wales.

But Senator Hill said the Murray would probably require greater flows than planned
in future years because governments had underestimated the impact of dry land salinity.

AAP lm/daw/pjs

KEYWORD: SNOWY (CARRIED EARLIER)

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