Environment Minister Peter Garrett provided a 10-day period for public consultation which concludes today, and is set to decide whether or not he will approve salt water flooding by December 31 this year.

“Ten days for public consultation on such critical environmental, social and economic impacts is a joke,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young said Minister Garrett must commit to conducting a risk assessment on the potential impacts of salt water flooding.

“What effect will salt water flooding have on the native flora and fauna of the Lower Lakes?” she asked.

“What impact will salt water flooding have on the communities who rely upon the Lower Lakes?

“What is the likelihood of contamination of the groundwater on the Fleurieu Peninsula?”

Senator Hanson-Young said the State and Federal Governments had given up on the Lower Lakes by contemplating salt water flooding before other options.

“Environment Minister Garrett and Water Security Minister Maywald have run up the white flag on the Lower Lakes,” she said.

“Rather than setting the wheels in motion to react to the worst-case scenario, other options should be actively pursued without further delay.

“Thirty to sixty gigalitres of fresh water are what the Lower Lakes so desperately need, and this is what the Governments must be acquiring and providing.

“Our internationally recognised, Ramsar-listed wetlands, our Storm Boy country, deserves nothing less than our best efforts to give them the drink they need.”