The Goyder Institute for Water Research has presented the findings of its independent review of the science underpinning water allocation reductions to irrigators in SA’s South East, which was undertaken by an expert panel chaired by Professor Craig Simmons.

Commissioned by the South East Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board and the Goyder Institute, the review was conducted following concerns about the science that informed the 2013 Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan, which is currently on hold pending the review outcome.

Professor Simmons is the Director of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training at Flinders University. His expert team included Flinders colleagues Professor Peter Cook and Professor Andrew Boulton, together with Dr Lu Zhang from the CSIRO.

The Panel found the water allocation planning was founded on a substantial body of scientific work, but the risk assessment posed some limitations.

A number of recommendations were made with a focus on four key areas – estimating total available recharge, water level and salinity trends, groundwater dependent ecosystems and risk assessments.

The findings of the report have been presented to the South East NRM Board and its Stakeholder Advisory Group and will be used to improve the implementation of the water allocation plan for the region.

The full report can be viewed online.