It follows the latest assessment of the floodwaters at the Murray Darling Basin Officials Committee meeting yesterday.

“NSW and SA have been working cooperatively to make sure the Lower Lakes are given a reasonable flow from the water from recent floods,” NSW Premier Kristina Keneally said.

“These floodwaters have provided at least 148gL for the Lower Lakes, which includes 48gL of water from the Living Murray Initiative’s Darling Anabranch water supply project that has been boosted by these floods.

“Right now a majority of the water from recent rainfall is still making its way downstream from north west NSW.

“This water has to travel hundreds of kilometres downstream to the Menindee Lakes before it can be released.

“In the coming weeks we’ll have a better understanding of how much water has reached Menindee Lakes after travelling from north west NSW.

“But we know that we will receive enough water in the system that we can commit to releasing enough water to provide at least 148gL to the Lower Lakes."

SA Premier Mike Rann said the extra flows would prevent further environmental damage to the Lower Lakes

and continue the State Government’s commitment to a fresh water solution, delaying the need for a

weir at Pomanda Island.

“Together with the State Government’s 170gL environmental reserve, this means that an extra 320gL will flow into the Lower Lakes this year," he said.

“The extra water will ensure that, even if record low flows continue throughout 2010, we will maintain water levels in the Lower Lakes above the critical levels necessary to avert further environmental damage.

“The flows will reduce the risk of acidification in the Lower Lakes, lower salinity levels and improve

the habitat for fish and water birds.

“The flow of water down the river will also mitigate the risk of further riverbank collapse."