First Q&A Panellists asked big questions about Climate Change Impacts in the region. Summer Series Event No.1 Recap
Friday 29 November
Algae blooms, ageing barrages, wind and water - key concerns raised by the community at the first panel discussion in our Summer Series of Science.
The inaugural event invited representatives from three local Landscape Boards (Limestone Coast, Murraylands and Riverland, Hills and Fleurieu) two Local Councils (Alexandrina and Coorong District) and the Department of Environment and Water to exchange information with the local community.
A short formal presentation from each gave the 40+ local attendees insight into
What they do
How they do it
Responsibility /planning for current and future developments impacting the area
Questions followed from the community raising key concerns about recent events and activities, and how/who is addressing them.
Blue green algae
In 2024 the lower reaches of the Murray River experienced an extensive algal bloom of a type not seen here before. Originating upstream, this led to extensive period restricting activity on and in the waters. The panellists agreed that to avoiding a repeat event, more water is needed to flush out the system.
Managing Salinity
More water is also a solution to reducing the effects of high salt levels and their impact on local ecosystems. Until this occurs, we all need to be more efficient with what we’ve got.
Barrage technology
20th century technology for 21st century problems requires investment and innovation if the current barrages are to retain functionality. SA Water is the agency responsible and is considering Kevlar and other technologies to help extend the life of the current system, and address issues already highlighted – salinity, blue green algae, and healthy ecosystems.
Wind
Local observations are of more frequent strong winds, damaging to coastal habitats. Drones can help better monitor the impacts especially in more remote areas where significant shorebird nesting sites are located. Both Green Life and Birdlife Australia are monitoring the birds, while Coorong District Council is working with local landowners reporting the loss of groundcover plants in already fragile environments.
Panellists highlighted the need to shift our thinking – planning for the environment not just planning for the people.
Emerging issue
A major cause of concern is the pressure for greater housing development in this region and how it will impact water quality, biodiversity and our unique marine and estuarine environments. The community needs to know how the design of new developments acknowledges and plans for current and future climate change…
And whether the enormous efforts over many years by local volunteers to revegetate sites will be lost by poorly regulated housing development in environmentally important areas. 20 - 30 years of growing native trees, now being cleared for sub-division for housing developments.
This gave panellists the opportunity to describe what is already in place, how their own agencies can contribute, and what/how limited resources can be managed to provide direct feedback to decision makers to better protect and prepare our ecosystems.