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SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 2
March 2017
This document should be cited as:
South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board, 2017. Regional Action Plan: A guide to natural resource
management priorities in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin, Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion summary.
URL: www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin-rap
For more information about this plan please contact:
South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board
PO Box 2343
Murray Bridge SA 5253
Phone: (08) 8532 9100
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin-rap
The South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board and the Government of South Australia, their
employees and their servants do not warrant, or make any representation, regarding the use or results of the information contain
herein as to its correctness, accuracy, currency or otherwise. The South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources
Management Board and the Government of South Australia, their employees and their servants expressly disclaim all liability or
responsibility to any person using the information or advice herein.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 3
The diverse soils, water resources, biodiversity and landscapes of the SA Murray-Darling Basin (SAMDB) are the foundation of many of the things we value; our livelihoods, lifestyles and our wellbeing.
We all play a role in managing these natural resources.
About this document This document is a summary of the Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion of the Regional Action Plan for the South
Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management region. It contains an overview of the subregion, what
is valued about the area, information on its landscapes, livelihoods and lifestyles, and a list of the natural resources
management issues, including their impacts and their priority status. For more detail on specific issues and suggested
actions to address them or to find out more about how the plan was developed, please follow the links in this
document or visit the Regional Action Plan online at www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin-rap
Figure 1: Location of the Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 4
What do we value about this area? Natural beauty and spiritual values of the Ramsar wetlands63,64,65
Secure freshwater supplies from the lower lakes for domestic and industrial use69
Agricultural production from irrigated horticulture, dairies, dryland farming and grazing69
Biodiversity conservation; national significance as the only estuary in the Murray-Darling Basin64, 66, 67, 69
Cultural, social and economic values of the Ngarrindjeri People113
Tourism associated with Ramsar wetlands85 and European history
Recreational values such as those associated with water sports and boating
'Lifestyle' values: rural-living, family history, strong community cohesion, and lake-based recreation -
boating, water sports61,69
Commercial and recreational fishing.
Socio-economic drivers of change Markets/commodity prices
Basin-wide weather patterns
Climate change (affecting amount and variability of rainfall
and lake inflows)
Basin-wide water extraction and use (affecting water quantity
and quality).
Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion Overview
The Lower Lakes and Coorong is a dynamic system
containing wetlands of international significance.
This subregion includes the lower lakes, Coorong
estuary and mouth of the Murray, marking the end
of the Murray-Darling Basin system (Figure 1). The
naturally freshwaters of the lower lakes are
separated from the estuarine-marine environments
of the Coorong and Murray Mouth by a series of
five barrages, which are operated for ecological,
social and economic benefit.72 Water-based tourism,
fishing, dairy farming, livestock production and
cropping are all important to the local economy.
The main towns in the area are Milang, Clayton and
Meningie. The Ngarrindjeri peoples are the Traditional Owners of this subregion113 and the area is within the
Ngarrindjeri and Others Native Title Claim area.114 The Ramsar-listed estuary provides critical habitat for numerous
threatened and migratory fauna species.
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 5
© SATC, Relaxing on the Beach, Goolwa Beach, Photographer: Adam Bruzzone
© SATC, Sunrise Goolwa, Photographer: Graham Scheer
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 6
Profile of the Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion
Landscapes
The site is situated at the terminus of the vast Murray-
Darling Basin, being its only estuary. Surface water
inflows are predominantly from the River Murray with
important, seasonal flows from the Eastern Mount
Lofty Ranges streams. Groundwater resources are also
significant, with use depending on quality. The
naturally63, 65 freshwaters of the lower lakes are
separated from the estuarine-marine environments of
the Coorong and Murray mouth by a series of five
barrages, which are operated for ecological, social and
economic benefit.72 Tidal variations are important for
water quality in the estuary and connectivity between
the freshwater and estuarine environments.
Situated at the end of the Murray-Darling Basin, this
subregion contains Lakes Alexandrina and Albert (the
lower lakes), the Murray Mouth, the northern part of
the Coorong – the basin’s only estuary - and the
agricultural districts immediately surrounding the lakes
(e.g. Point Sturt, Narrung Peninsula). The main towns in
the area are Milang, Clayton and Meningie.
The Lower Lakes and Coorong has exceptional
ecological diversity and is listed as a Ramsar Wetland
of International Importance.64 The lakes are freshwater
and discharge to the Coorong, an estuary surrounded
by corridor plains between relict coastal dunes.78 The
bulk of the surface water in this subregion is received
from the River Murray, which is transferred between
Lakes Alexandrina and Albert through a narrow
channel, the Narrung narrows. Other surface water
inputs come from the most southerly of the Eastern
Mount Lofty Ranges streams: Angas River, Bremer
River, Finniss River, Tookayerta Creek, Currency Creek
and Deep Creek.64 Rainfall in the region is low to
moderate (350 to 500mm), however, direct rainfall on
the surface of the two shallow and wide lakes (approx.
92,000 ha) can be a significant input of freshwater as
well, especially when river flows are low.72 Water of
varying volumes and salinity flow into the southern
end of the Coorong from the Upper South-East
Drainage Scheme (outside of this subregion).
The series of five barrages that separate the lakes from
the Murray Mouth and Coorong control freshwater
releases into the estuary unless lake levels exceed
+0.81 mAHD, when the barrages are overtopped and
overland flows across the islands occur.64 As a
consequence, the condition and water quality of the
site relies on freshwater inputs sufficient to allow
regular and strategic barrage releases.66 The tidal
signal, influenced by the degree of Murray Mouth
openness, determines the water levels and salinity of
the Coorong, which is why dredging occurs when
barrage releases are unable to keep the mouth open.72
Prior to European settlement, the lower lakes were
predominantly fresh with river water discharges
keeping the Murray Mouth open. Salt water incursions
into the lakes were not common until the Federation
Drought (c.1898-1901) after significant water resources
development had occurred in the Murray-Darling
Basin. Management of the Murray Mouth to prevent
seawater intrusions (e.g. barrage operations, dredging)
occurs to protect the biota and the socio-economic
assets of the Lower lakes and Coorong.63
The site is internationally and nationally recognised as
a wetland ecosystem of very high ecological and
cultural value. 64, 65, 69, 72 The Long-term Environmental
Watering Plan for the River Murray Water Resources
area66 summarises the key ecological values as follows:
- Waterbirds: regularly supports >200,000
waterbirds during summer, significant
numbers of colonial-nesting and beach-
nesting waterbirds and a number of
threatened waterbird species.
© SATC, Narrung, Photographer: John Montesi
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 7
- Fish: ecosystem plays an important role for 49
native fish species, including diadromous,
endangered and commercially caught species.
- Vegetation: characterised by a range of
ecologically significant submerged, emergent
and fringing vegetation species and
communities including Gahnia sedgelands,
Fleurieu Peninsula swamps and Ruppia
tuberosa.
These wetlands are critical habitat for 43 threatened
plant species and 98 threatened fauna species such as
southern pygmy perch (Nannoperca australis), Murray
hardyhead (Craterocephalus fluviatilis), Australasian
bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) and southern bell frog
(Litoria raniformis).64
Terrestrial ecosystems in this area include relatively
intact samphire and coastal shrublands, and small
areas of shrubby and grassy woodlands, sand mallee
and native grasslands, which were mostly cleared for
agricultural land following European settlement.110
The recent Millennium Drought (c.2001-09) conditions
have highlighted the consequences of inappropriate
water management for the lower lakes and Coorong; a
wide range of emergency activities were required to
prevent species extinctions from the landscape
culminating in the Murray-Darling Basin co-authored
Drought Emergency Framework for Lakes Alexandrina
and Albert, which is designed to ensure that
management action occurs rapidly and in a
coordinated and timely way if lake water levels are at
risk again.73 This includes activities to manage
acidification of the lakes via exposure of lakebed
sediments, including acid sulphate soils.
The soil types in the surrounding agricultural land are
dominated by deep sands to the east of the lakes and
areas of calcareous clay over sand, loamy sand over
clay and riparian clays around the Angas and Bremer
River mouths.74 However, the soils under the lakes have
been affected by prolonged inundation since river
regulation such that now there is an estimated
89,220 ha of acid sulphate soils in the lower lakes.75
Models indicate that there would be widespread
acidification if the water levels in Lakes Alexandrina
and Albert dropped to -1.5 mAHD and -1 mAHD,
respectively.76
Aboriginal creation ancestor stories (sometimes called
Dreamtime or Dreaming Stories) explain how natural
elements in the landscape were formed or how certain
species came to be. The stories describe how creation
ancestors shaped and shifted the landscape, how they
crafted its beauty and natural resources and then
gifted these places to specific groups of people across
South Australia.116
Aboriginal Heritage is an important part of the
landscape. The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 protects
Aboriginal sites, objects and remains in all areas of
South Australia117 and the Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan
Agreement (KNYA) 2009, an agreement with the State
of South Australia meaning ‘listen to Ngarrindjeri
speaking’, also establishes proper consideration by
State Government Departments of Aboriginal Heritage
matters. Under this Agreement the Ngarrindjeri people
are represented by the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority
(NRA) whose role is to progress the caring for country
objectives of the Ngarrindjeri in the protection of land,
water and marine environments and achieving
culturally appropriate outcomes for soils, water
resources, geological features and landscapes, native
vegetation, animals, other organisms and
ecosystems.113
Livelihoods
The Ngarrindjeri people have used and actively
managed the natural resources of this subregion for
many thousands of years. The KNYA (2009)
acknowledges the importance of Ngarrindjeri gaining
economic benefit from the management of protected
areas.113 A relatively large number of Ngarrindjeri
people have been employed in natural resources
management roles through Kungun Ngarrindjeri
Yunnan related programs118 and projects at Raukkan
and Monarto Zoo. Significant capacity has been built
within the community to continue playing a key role in
natural resources management into the future, for
example, through Ngarrindjeri Ruwe Contracting
(NRC).119
The majority of the area in the Lower Lakes and
Coorong subregion is covered by: freshwater lakes
(80,000 ha), estuary and coastal waters (25,000 ha),
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 8
marshes and wetlands (14,000 ha) or other nature
conservation areas (7,000 ha). The Coorong National
Park stretches the length of the Coorong estuary and is
an important feature of this subregion. Land use is
focussed on irrigated horticulture, dairy and dryland
farming. Grazing of modified pastures is the
predominant terrestrial land use in this subregion,
covering about 40,000 ha around the lakes.81 The other
main agricultural pursuits are: cropping (5000 ha),
irrigated pastures (3,000 ha) and irrigated perennial
horticulture (1500 ha). The millennium drought had a
lasting and significant effect on the local agricultural
industries, leading to business losses, especially in the
dairy sector.69
Prior to the Millennium Drought, the area supported
substantial irrigated dairy farming but the lasting
impacts of that drought and commodity prices have
seen a shift to dryland farming.69
The wine industry retained access to water during this
period through the installation of a community
pipeline. Langhorne Creek region and the Currency
Creek wine region are located on the western banks of
Lake Alexandrina. The Langhorne Creek wine industry
is represented by the Langhorne Creek Grape Growers
Association and the Angas Bremer Water Management
Committee who have been very active in sustainable
practices such as the Irrigator Code of Practice, which
has been operating with near 100% compliance since
1996.83 The wine region benefits from the climate-
moderating effects of the Lower Lakes nearby.
The lower lakes and Coorong support a range of
ecosystem services including recreation, tourism and
commercial fishing64 which rely on the health of the
freshwater and estuarine-marine ecosystems. Fishing
(recreational and commercial) is especially reliant on
native fish such as Coorong yellow eye mullet
(Aldrichetta forsteri), golden perch (Macquaria
ambigua) and mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicas), and
the introduced redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) and
European carp (Cyprinus carpio).69, 128, 129 The South
Australian Department of Environment, Water and
Natural Resources (DEWNR) is primarily responsible, on
behalf of the Australian Government, for the
management of the Ramsar site.
This subregion is home to the Lakes and Coorong
Fishery, a Marine Stewardship Council Certified
Sustainable Fishery.27 The fishery is represented by the
Lakes and Coorong Fishery Consultative Committee
comprising members from: the fishing industry,
Coorong National Park management (DEWNR),
Ngarrindjeri people, local government and the
Conservation Council of South Australia.82
Lifestyles
With a total population of 6,824 people (in 2011), the
Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion has one of the
lowest populations in the SAMDB region. It has,
however, experienced a population increase above the
state average.61 This area has one of the three highest
proportions of elderly people in the SAMDB, although
it has a lower proportion of one parent families than
some subregions.61
The local government responsibilities are shared
between Alexandrina Council on the western side of
the lakes, Rural City of Murray Bridge to the north and
Coorong and Districts Council on the eastern side.
These councils are collaborating together through
initiatives such as aiming to improve livelihoods in the
region as an example.
There is a relatively high Aboriginal population in this
subregion based largely in the towns of Meningie and
Raukkan. Ngarrindjeri consider the protection and
maintenance of their culture and cultural sites central
in every respect to their community wellbeing and
existence.113 Ngarrindjeri have rights, interests and
obligations to speak and care for their traditional
country, lands and waters in accordance with their
laws, customs, beliefs and traditions.113 The KNYA
(2009) recognises the role and ability of the
Ngarrindjeri in the management of natural
resources.113
© SATC, Shopping in the main street, Goolwa,
Photographer: Adam Bruzzone
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 9
There is a strong reliance on the agriculture sector as
its main economy, where the main land uses either
dryland farming or irrigated horticulture, though there
are small lifestyle properties on the western side of
Lake Alexandrina and around the main townships.27
The dominance of agriculture as the industry providing
the majority of the area’s employment and economic
return, together with declining terms of agricultural
trade are potential risk factors in terms of the
community’s ability to adapt to changing
circumstances and conditions.
Recreation and tourism centred around the lakes and
Coorong water bodies are important as a secondary
source of revenue for the local economy.78 A 2006
survey of visitors ranked ‘relaxing’ most highly as a
reason for visiting the Coorong and recognised the link
between environmental condition and recreational
experience.85
There is a high level of volunteering in the region,
which is an indicator of strongly cohesive community,
which should serve this community well in adapting to
change. As a specific example, the Coorong Lower
Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Recovery Project, a
joint State and Federal initiative funded a large number
of community and Ngarrindjeri groups to propagate
and plant local native plant species. A community
nursery network was developed, increasing the NRM
capacity of the local communities. More than 5.2
million plants were planted through this program since
2009. Of these plants, 1.4 million were grown and
planted by the local community. Projects such as the
Meningie Foreshore planting and interpretive trail have
improved local amenity and cultural awareness. In
addition, local NRM activities have been initiated and
greatly enhanced by the work of the Goolwa to
Wellington Local Action Planning Association, based in
Strathalbyn.
There are a number of high priority issues that the
Lower Lakes and Coorong community will need to be
mindful of, that may impact on resilience and
community capacity:
- continued impacts of the Millennium Drought
- uncertainty surround the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
and ongoing water quality issues, particularly for
those reliant on Lake Albert water for stock and
domestic uses107
- maintaining the adaptive capacity and resilience of
the community beyond the CLLMM Recovery
Project will be important to their recovery from
future droughts.
The community’s ability to adapt to changing
circumstances might also be affected by factors such
as an aging population, being somewhat remote as
compared with other parts of the state and having
below average internet access (70 per cent of
households in 2011). This area also has a comparatively
low number of graduates, people who have completed
high school and women in managerial or technical
occupations. 61
Promising opportunities however, lie in the focus and
interest in the site management and health of the lakes
and resulting community governance arrangements,
including strong Aboriginal partnerships, that have
been established though the CLLMM Recovery Project.
These initiatives have assisted community capacity
through the drought and recovery period and have
increased participation in NRM activities and site
stewardship, which served well through the millennium
drought. Concerted efforts to actively maintain this
resilience and capacity to work together and adapt to
changing conditions and circumstances will place the
community in good stead for future prosperity.
© SATC, Port Milang, Photographer: Johnny Kamma
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 10
What do we need to work on? The following table describes the natural resources management issues and their impacts on the values of the
Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion, presented in order of decreasing priority. Detailed actions can be found
within the RAP online by clicking on the relevant issue within this table.
Key to values
NRM issue What impacts are these having on our natural resources?
Priority Values affected
Working together Community awareness, knowledge and participation in natural resource management Foundational
Climate change adaptation
Building resilience to a changing climate
Foundational
Managing carp herpes virus release
Water quality impacts of carp herpes virus release.
Potential severe adverse impacts on water quality due to increased carbon loads (decomposing fish) in waterways, and potential large black water events.
High
Containing new agricultural weeds
New and emerging agricultural weeds, especially adjacent to roadsides and existing infestations caused by a reduction in control efforts.
Competition with pasture species, decline in productivity and ongoing costs of control.
High
Water quality and accessibility in the Lower Lakes
Decline in water quality and accessibility due to upstream extraction (reduced inflows) and impacts of surrounding land uses - particularly salinity and turbidity of water.
Poor water quality affects stock health (unsuitable for use when quality low). Poor water quality can result in damage to water pumps. High nutrient levels increases aquatic weeds in channels, affecting the efficiency of water delivery.
High
Controlling spiny rush in Lake Albert
Spiny rush invasion in Lake Albert.
Displaces pasture species and can invade watercourses and form impenetrable thickets. High
Managing flows for aquatic ecosystem health
Reduced inflows (due to basin-wide extraction and climate change) affecting water level in lakes, connectivity of aquatic habitats, and water quality (including salinity).
Decline in condition of aquatic habitats and decline in aquatic and water-dependent plants and animals; prolonged drying of wetlands with severe impacts post-wetting (e.g. carp spawning).
High
Managing the impacts of long-nosed fur seals
Impacts of long-nosed fur seals on commercial fisheries.
Decline in fish populations and flow on impacts on commercial fishing values if seal numbers high.
High
Adaptation to sea level rise
Sea level rise due to climate change.
Sea level rise will impact the ability to manage the barrages and control water entering the Coorong-Lower Lakes system. Saline water will also enter through pressure gradients if there is insufficient freshwater in the lakes and Coorong. The potential impacts depend on many factors. [Impacts on production systems to be described by TPG]
High
Managing acid sulfate soils
Exposure of acid sulfate soils at low lake levels.
Severe decline in water quality (acidification of water, mobilisation of toxic metals, black water events and production of noxious gases) following exposure and reinundation of acid-sulfate soils, affecting the ecological health of the lower lakes.
High
Water Sustainable Production
Biodiversity People Atmosphere
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 11
(cont.) NRM issue What impacts are these having on our natural resources?
Priority Values affected
Maintaining flows through the Narrows
Over abundant native species in aquatic ecosystems (Phragmites and Typha).
Impediments to flow, terrestrialisation of aquatic areas, 'choking out' of other species resulting in a monoculture and reduction in species diversity.
High
Threatened species recovery
Threatened species habitat decline and species-specific threats resulting in the decline of threatened fauna and flora.
Risk of extinction to threatened fauna and flora.
High
Containing new environmental weeds
New and emerging weeds. Competition with native flora; decline in the condition of remnant habitat, including threatened species habitat.
Med
Reducing lakeshore erosion
Lakeshore erosion. Affects water quality and results in loss of soil of the best lakeshore land for production.
Med
Reducing the impacts of pest animals
Over-grazing - by kangaroos and rabbits (unmanaged)
Rabbits - decline in native vegetation and land condition (particularly on deep, sandy soils of this area); kangaroos - damage to infrastructure (fencing).
Med
Controlling existing environmental weeds
Environmental weeds (for example pyp grass, marron grass and other grass weeds, boxthorn, Acacia cyclops, Acacia saligna, Aleppo pine, spiney rush, African love grass)
Competition with native flora; resulting in declines in biodiversity and production values; reduction in quality of appropriate habitat for native species.
Med
Industry adaptation to a future with less water
Rainfall variability (especially out-of-season rainfall); drought; likely to be exacerbated under climate change.
Decline in productivity of cropping and grazing systems (especially during drought); increased erosion risk; reduced community capacity and resilience after drought.
Med
Improving water quality in the Lower Lakes
Decline in surface water quality flowing from the eastern tributories and overland into the Lakes and Coorong due to impacts of local land uses - particularly salinity and turbidity of water.
Decline in water quality affects condition of aquatic habitat, lifestyle values and suitability of water for consumptive uses (stock, domestic and irrigation). Med
Maintaining flows through the Narrows
Constriction of flows by reeds between Lakes Albert and Alexandrina, due to low flows.
Potential for rapid decline in water quality in Lake Albert. Med
Controlling agricultural weeds
Existing agricultural weeds. Competition with pasture species, decline in productivity and ongoing costs of control. Med
Managing dryland salinity
Dryland salinity. Loss of productive land, decline in land condition. Med
Soil health for sustainable production
Management of soil health (i.e. nutrition, fertility, biology) affecting production capacity and susceptibility to additional soil degradation processes.
Affects the profitability and sustainability of production. Poor soil health can lead to on site degradative processes such as soil acidity, erosion, compaction, and sodicity as well as off-site impacts on adjacent lands, watercourses and groundwater systems
Med
Managing impacts of pest animals
Over-grazing - by kangaroos and rabbits (unmanaged grazing)
Decline in condition of native vegetation; change in vegetation composition; replacement of natives with disturbance tolerant exotic species and increase in shrubs in some grassy ecosystems; high grazing pressures is a barrier to recruitment for many native plant species.
Med
Managing new pest animal and disease risk
New and emerging pest animals and diseases
Potential threat to crop/stock health, affecting the productivity and profitability of primary industries.
Med
Controlling carp and other aquatic pests
Carp and other aquatic pest animals.
Reduced water quality; reduction in native fish populations. Affects biodiversity and lifestyle values due to impacts on native fish populations.
Low
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 12
(cont.) NRM issue What impacts are these having on our natural resources?
Priority Values affected
Reducing soil erosion risk
Soil erosion risk (wind and water) associated with vulnerable soil types, inappropriate land management practices and seasonal conditions (likely to be exacerbated under climate change).
Decline in land condition, sustainability of production, and capacity to recovery after drought.
Low
Reducing predation of native fauna
Predation of native fauna (by foxes, dingoes, cats).
Foxes and dingoes are predators of native animals, but also contribute to reduced total grazing pressure through predation of rabbits and kangaroos.
Low
Sustainable livestock grazing
Over-grazing - by livestock (managed grazing)
Decline in condition of native vegetation; change in vegetation composition; replacement of natives with disturbance tolerant exotic species and increase in shrubs in some grassy ecosystems; high grazing pressures is a barrier to recruitment for many native plant species.
Low
Managing the impacts of lake water level cycling
Rising salt tables and erosion resulting from lowering and raising of lake levels (cycling of water levels); an action intended to remove saline water from the lakes.
Increasing salt ingress, water pollution, land salinisation, declining native vegetation; potential to affect community health.
Low
Protecting and restoring habitat
Loss and fragmentation of habitat due to past clearing and incremental current clearing.
Loss of habitat for native species; reduction in size and isolation of plant and animal populations; increased vulnerability to other threats (such as climate change, pests, weeds).
Low
Managing dryland salinity
Dryland salinity impacting through groundwater flows into the lakes.
Impacting on salinity levels of the lakes. Low
Managing impacts of recreational activities
Impacts of recreational activities (e.g. jet skis, boating, 4WDs, duck shooting).
Disturbance to and decline in condition of aquatic habitat (including small area of coastal habitat), due to pollution, erosion from wave action, and transfer of pests and weeds.
Low
Managing the impacts of long-nosed fur seals
Impacts of long-nosed fur seals on native fish populations.
Decline in fish populations and ecology of the system. Low
Managing irrigation impacts on groundwater
Increasing groundwater levels and decreasing water quality due to irrigation and recharge in adjacent land uses.
Decline in the health of aquatic ecosystems and suitability of habitat.
Low
SA Murray-Darling Basin Regional Action Plan - Lower Lakes and Coorong subregion 13
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and Culture. Meningie, South Australia.
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2014, Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Canberra.
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81 SA MDB NRM Board, 2015. Analysis of Land use data from 2008. Summary data only.
82 Lakes and Coorong Fishery Consultative Committee, 2015. http://www.coorongfishery.com/pages/fishery-
information/consultative-committee.php.
83 Angas Bremer Irrigator Code of Practice. http://www.angasbremerwater.org.au
85 Dyack, B. et al., 2007. Valuing recreation in the Murray: an assessment of the non-market recreational values
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