Coorong infrastructure consultation moves to shortlisting stage
The Coorong community are encouraged to get involved in shortlisting potential infrastructure options for securing the future of the iconic wetland via an options guide and survey released today.
The guide and survey represent the next step in an ongoing consultation process as part of the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program, to assess a range of long-term management solutions to improve the health of the Coorong, with a focus on the Coorong South Lagoon.
Manager, Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin, Angus MacGregor said recent stakeholder consultation has identified a number of infrastructure and management options to potentially improve the management and health of the Coorong.
“The next step in this process is to shortlist so we’ve listed the identified options in a guide which we are now providing to stakeholders to seek further input and narrow the options down,” Angus said.
“Key to doing this is building an understanding of the social, economic and cultural needs and values of First Nations peoples, locals and the broader South Australian community.
“Once we have our final shortlist we will then undertake detailed investigation of those options over the next 12 to 18 months.”
Analysing all the proposed infrastructure options in a robust and systematic way will help to ensure that the final selected option will best meet needs of the Coorong and the local community into the future.
To help initiate the process, environmental engineering consultancy Tonkin was commissioned to undertake a technical review of previously identified management options. These options, along with those generated through stakeholder consultations, are introduced and summarised in the guide.
“The community has an interest in the Coorong and has shown its commitment to working with government to find long-term solutions for this highly valued ecosystem,” Angus said.
“The options outlined in the guide will feel familiar to many people as the community has played a lead role in shaping them so far. We look forward to hearing their views on the final shortlist.”
A series of webinars will also be held as part of this next stage of consultation.
The options guide and further details are available at: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/coorong/get-involved
The full guide and a link to the survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OptionsAssessprefeas
