on a sustainable basis. This is graphically presented in relation to major water resources in Figure 2. However, in general, the resources already developed represent those of best quality and greatest eas~ of harvesting although some are being subjected to pollution pressures from land use and waste disposal practices. The future development potential of the remaining water is dependent on location, quality and degree of competing environmental use. A review of 21 alternative water development options for South Australia was carried out (EWSD 89/4, 1989). 0
denotes 10.0 GL/year availability
•
major resource use
Ill
evaporation
SURFACE WATER El LAKE TORRENS
·a
MT LOFTY RANGES
GROUNDWATER EUCLA AND OFFICER BASINS
GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN
II
EYRE PENINSULA
MURRAY BASIN
•
PIRIE TORRENS BASIN
YOR.KE PENINSULA
in managing assets with a $9 billion replacement value; 4. increased account to be taken of the social and environmental impacts of water resource management to promote the needs of the natural environment and of social justice in decision making processes; 5. improved monitoring of, and research into, factors related to water resource management to facilitate future timely reactions to emerging issues. Proposals To implement the Strategy, the following broad actions are proposed , subject to extensive community consultation: 1. Increase the availability of water resources management information to the community; encourage water resources advisory committees to be the focus of community consultation in their areas; and establish closer contacts with interested groups throughout South Australia. 2. Manage interdependent ground and surface water resources as single units taking into account management objectives of other natural resources and a level of water demand which can be sustained in the long term. 3. Extend arrangements to enable the transfer of authorised irrigation and industrial licences in proclaimed regions subject to Government-approved management plans and transfer conditions, thereby allowing market forces and commercial decisions by users to directly influence the attainment of the best use of the water; and extend a publicly-reasoned pricing structure which reflects the value of water and which provides increased incentives for efficient water use and waste disposal. 4. In conjunction with other government agencies, determine the relationship between water resources management and the social and natural environment and develop techniques for their meaningful integration into the decision-making process. 5. In conjunction with other government agencies establish and maintain a comprehensive water resources related information monitoring network and ensure regular review of information in order to determine trends and actions hecessary to address implications.
OTWAY BASIN
I
ST VINCENT BASIN
Fig. 2 -
ii
MT LOFTY / FLINDERS RANGES
Utilisation of major water resources.
In essence, it was confirmed that for the foreseeable future, South Australians generally will continue to have access to reliable water supplies but careful management will be required now and in the longer term if this situation is to be maintained and future development potential maximised.
THE STRATEGY A strategy to provide direction for future water management in South Australia was released by the Minister of Water Resources, the Hon Ms Susan Lenehan, on Wednesday 25 October 1989 (EWSD 83/86, 1989) entitled "Water South Australia - Managing the Resource in the Next Century". The fundamental principles underlying this endeavour revolve around community involvement, open government and deregulation. An outline of the issues, proposals and priorities follow. The issues There is a need for: 1. increased communication with the community on matters related to water resource management in order to establish the needs of the community and to ensure its timely involvement in the resolution of issues;
2. integrated land and water management to ensure that due consideration is given to the sustainability of all natural resources; 3. water used for urban, industrial, irrigation, and rural applications to be regarded as a commodity subject to commercial market forces. This will introduce a business-like approach to the allocation and use of water, and the control of pollution. It will also force a recognition of the substantial effort and cost involved
Priorities 1 Priorities for future actions will be determined by the importance of the resource, the consequences of failure to take action and the importance of each action for the resource. Each action is interdependent and should not be viewed in isolation. However, within each group of actions there is a hierarchy with some actions dependent on the completion of others. The most important resources requiring management attention in South Australia are the River Murray, the Mount Lofty Ranges streams, the Otway Basin groundwater and the Great Artesian Basin. In addition a host of smaller resources are over-used or reaching sustainable yield. Other critical issues are the environmental impacts of wastewater management, particularly the effects of disposal of effluents on receiving waters, the management of toxic and trade wastes, and importantly, the management, operation and renewal of the massive assets of the Department. In fact, many specific actions either emanating from investigations contributing to the Strategy or which had attained their own independent momentum in recent times, are currently being undertaken as a matter of priority. Such current or recent initiatives include incorporating the powers to control diffuse sources of pollution within a revision of the Water Resources Act, investigations into the potential for minimising the current harmful and wasteful effects of urban stormwater disposal, (EWSD 85/ 16, 1989) and the development of a strategy for the treatment and disposal of sewage to the marine environment (EWSD August 1989). Having established the initial momentum, identified the issues, formulated corresponding proposals, and taken public comment into account, the Department will be in a strong position to manage the planning, development and utilisation of the State's water resources in the next decade and into the 21st century.
MAINTAINING THE MOMENTUM It is essential that the strong position now attained not be allowed to diminish and that the Strategy be promoted as a catalyst for WATER February, 1990
17