Media Release

Can engineering save the Murray?

A free public forum at the University of Adelaide will tomorrow examine the controversial issue of engineering solutions to significant environmental damage being suffered by three key River Murray [1] sites.

The forum - being hosted by the Water Research Centre [2] of the University's Environment Institute [3] - is part of an ongoing series known as "Water Wednesday".

This month's Water Wednesday [4] on 21 October will focus on new and innovative approaches required to alleviate environmental damage in the absence of effective water flows in the river.

The three Murray icon sites in South Australia are Chowilla [5], the mainstream, and the Coorong & Lower Lakes [6]. Each of these icon sites identified in the Living Murray Program [7] is suffering significant environmental damage, and the options for repair are limited by the lack of available water.

Guest presenters and their topics at the forum include:

• Options for the environmental future of the River Murray ecosystem in South Australia - Ms Judy Goode, Environmental Manager, SA Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resource Management Board [8]
  
• Potential benefits and impacts of the proposed Chowilla watering structure - Associate Professor Justin Brookes [9], University of Adelaide
  
• Future options for the Lower Lakes and Coorong - Dr Kane Aldridge [10], University of Adelaide

Open discussion will also be a part of the forum.

This Water Wednesday forum is being held during National Water Week [11] (18-24 October). The theme for 2009 is Securing our Water Future.

WHAT: Water Wednesday: Managing the Murray icon sites: can engineering save the environment?

WHERE: Lecture Theatre 102, Napier Building, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide

WHEN: 5.30pm-6.45pm Wednesday 21 October

COST: Free, but bookings essential. Email: environment@adelaide.edu.au [12]
or phone Dr Anne Jensen: 0407 170 706

Pilby Creek on the Chowilla floodplain during summer.
Photos courtesy of Anne Jensen