How the Levy will be Used

 

The health of the River Murray is vital to all Australians, but particularly so for South Australia. Our prosperity, our river environment, our communities across the State and our long term future depend on it.

 

Funds generated by the Save The River Murray Levy - which came into effect on 1 October 2003 - will be used for projects to improve the long-term health of the river. The money raised is kept in the Save the Murray Fund which can be used only for activities that help the river.

 

The Levy will fund South Australia’s contribution to an agreement with NSW, Victoria and the ACT - and the Commonwealth - to commit $500 million over five years to improving the health of the River Murray. This funding will be used to begin a long term effort to return water to the River Murray. Over five years the initial funding of $500 million will be used to permanently return 500 billion litres of water to the river. South Australia’s contribution to this project is $19 million per year which will be paid for with money raised through the Save The River Murray Levy.

 

Water returned to the river will be directed towards improving the health of six significant ecological assets across the Basin, including three sites in South Australia:

• The Chowilla Floodplain: Provide water to important wetlands, and maintain the health of river redgums and black box trees.
• The Murray Mouth-Coorong and Lower Lakes: Keep the Murray Mouth open, provide conditions for fish spawning, enhance migratory wading bird habitat.
• The River Channel: Enhance fish habitat along the entire length of the river.

Funds from the Levy will also be used to develop an SA River Murray Environmental Flows Strategy to improve management of existing flows for environmental outcomes.

 

Other projects will include additional salt interception schemes to reduce the amount of salt entering the river, improved management of floodplain drainage disposal systems and waste disposal stations, and other operational and structural works.

 

Together, these projects will greatly improve the health of South Australia’s most important waterway.

 

For further information about these projects contact the Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation on (08) 8463 6800 or visit the Department’s website.

 

How The Levy Will Be Collected

 

The Save The River Murray Levy will be billed on your SA Water account. However, the levy does not apply to customers who receive a concession on their water rates. For further information please call the SA Water River Murray Levy inquiry line on 1300 650 950.

 

Amount to Pay 2008/09

 

The levy amount will be itemised on your accounts and how much you pay will be determined by your property type (also indicated on your account):

 

Residential:                                       $8.60 per quarter 

Non residential/Commercial:        $38.65 per quarter

Special Category:                             $8.60 per quarter

Farming Properties:                         Varies

 

Special Categories: include charitable organisations, places of public worship, schools and non-profit organisations.  If you believe your property could fit one of these categories, you can confirm the amount by calling 1300 650 950.

 

Farming Properties: accounts for land holdings of 10 hectares or more will incur a quarterly levy charge of $38.65 while those smaller than 10 hectares will incur $8.60. Supplies provided under “Supply by Measure” arrangements will also incur the $8.20 charge.

The levy only applies per account, not per meter. Farmers with multiple accounts who incur levy payments greater than $38.65 per quarter for a single farming enterprise will be eligible for a rebate that will limit their total payments for that enterprise to $36.95. To be eligible for a rebate, the associated land must be owned or occupied by the applicant and must be principally used for primary production and be managed as a single unit for that purpose.

If you believe you are eligible for a rebate, further information about the qualification criteria and application forms are available by calling the Save the River Murray Levy inquiry line: 1300 650 950.

 

Try our Frequently Asked Questions section to find more answers on the levy.