South Australia’s Lower Lakes will benefit from 148 gigalitres of northern Basin floodwater, following an agreement between the Australian Government and Murray-Darling Basin states.

The Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said the heavy rains in northern NSW had provided an opportunity to make a real difference to the Lower Lakes.

“The Lower Lakes have been in desperate need of additional flows,’’ Senator Wong said.

“This water, combined with existing environmental water commitments to the Lower Lakes, will reduce the risk of acidification and improve habitat for many waterbirds and other species.’’

Senator Wong said the decision of all Basin states to cooperate in the agreement was very welcome and showed that states could come together in the best interests of the Basin.

“This agreement is a further example of Commonwealth and state governments working together in the national interest,’’ Senator Wong said.

“It also demonstrates that the Basin Reforms initiated by the Rudd Government, and agreed to by Basin States at COAG in 2008, are working well.’’

This water includes 48 GL from allocations to The Living Murray initiative directly arising from the recent flooding.