Background
The Coongie Lakes wetlands in the north east of South Australia have been the subject of environmental controversy for over two decades. A major wetland system in an arid area, the lakes are recognised as being internationally important (listed under the “Ramsar” Wetlands Convention). They are on the National Heritage list and have been assessed as having World Heritage value. The lakes are home to tens of thousands of water birds and a wide variety of species. Despite this significance, the Coongie Lakes system remains under threat from the proliferation of oil and gas exploration/ production in the region, as well as pastoralism, and land development upriver.
Coongie and the surrounding lakes are formed from the waters of the Cooper Creek, and the area is generally in the multiple-use Innamincka Regional Reserve . Previous governments have attempted to protect to the core of the system by banning petroleum exploration in a central “Control Zone” of the Reserve, but this management solution was only temporary and in case covered only 5% of the overall wetlands system. Cattle were also excluded from a fenced off area in Coongie, but the surrounding lakes and the rest of Innamincka Reserve formed part of a pastoral lease. The former Liberal government was considering a range of future of petroleum and gas options for the Zone including allowing ‘managed’ exploration and production throughout the area.
Breakthrough
After a long campaign spearheaded by The Wilderness Society and the Conservation Council of South Australia, on July 11 2003 the state government announced that it would declare a 27,900 hectare National Park covering areas of the wetlands where cattle and petroleum are currently excluded, and an increased area (to 87,740 hectares) where petroleum exploration and production would be banned by legislation.
The government announcement followed the signing last year of the historic memorandum of understanding between conservation groups (the Conservation Council, The Wilderness Society and the Nature Conservation Society) and the joint-venture oil companies headed by Santos. This groundbreaking agreement recognised the need to protect core areas of Coongie Lakes.
The government’s announcement for protected areas covered less area than was proposed in the Santos-conservation groups’ memorandum of understanding, but the government decision provides greater security for the areas by declaring a National Park and by enshrining the petroleum free zone in legislation. There are also additional special zones where only “walk-in” geological surveys will be allowed.
Overall, this represents a significant step, but there remain serious issues to be resolved before Coongie Lakes is fully protected.
Cooper Creek
Cooper Creek
Future Steps
The issues of grazing and tourism impacts on the area need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The government’s announcement on July 11 also gave a commitment to finalise the Ramsar Management Plan for the wetlands. This Management Plan applies to a much larger area of the lakes system and is required under our international treaty obligations. If this plan is to seriously look at preserving the values of the area, it will need to address all the processes threatening the wetlands, including grazing and tourism management. Coming on back of optimism generated by successfully dealing with the petroleum access issues, this gives the government a unique opportunity to fully protect these amazing wetlands.
Coongie photos by Ben Wingfield
For more information, please contact:
Greg Ogle
South Australian Campaign Coordinator
Email Greg Ogle
Created: 07 Sep 2003 | Last updated: 07 Sep 2003