Draft water resources management policy for KI

Please be aware this is an old news release. For updated information please refer to this link.

Water is a shared resource that provides economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits to Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Islands Natural Resource Management (KI NRM) Board will be hosting informal consultations to provide an opportunity for the community to have their say on the draft water resources management policy and water take limits.

KI NRM Board Presiding member, Richard Trethewey, said that it’s important to balance the competing priorities of individuals and businesses who depend on a shared water resource in order to achieve the greatest benefit for the Kangaroo Island community.

“It is equally important to ensure that these developments pose an acceptable risk to water-dependent ecosystems that are reliant on adequate water to function appropriately.”

As part of the NRM planning process, the KI NRM Board commissioned a specialist hydrological review and has accordingly updated its water take limits (previously known as sustainable/water use limits), which are now largely based on local stream flow data.

Mr Trethewey said that the Board has also reviewed and updated its water resources management policy with assistance from the Water Resources Task Force, which includes local community members and technical experts.

“Informal consultations are important to make sure that the draft water resources management policy is informed by local knowledge and thinking and has the full support of the KI community. This is a good opportunity for the KI community to make an input.”

Formal consultations will be concluded when the new NRM plan is released for public comment in the next few months.

Consultation sessions will be on Thursday 7 April at Parndana Sports Club from 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm, followed by a BBQ and the ‘When will it rain – or has it?’ information session with Darren Ray from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Monday 11 April at Acacia Apartment, Kingscote from 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm and Wednesday 20 April at Penneshaw Health Centre from 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm.

To find out more, please visit the Natural Resource Kangaroo Island website http://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ki/home or call the natural resources centre on 08 8553 4444.

If you have any further questions, please click on the link below to the FAQ document and have a look at the draft water policies for stakeholder consultation April 2016.