Torrens Taskforce

The Torrens Taskforce was formed in August 2006 at the request of Hon Gail Gago MLC, Minister for the Environment and Conservation.

The Taskforce has the following aims:

1. understanding the current status of the River Torrens and its catchment;
2. developing targets to ensure the future health of the River; and
3. developing strategies to achieve these targets.

Terms of Reference

Terms of reference of the Taskforce is to work with the Reference Group to;

Consider aspirational objectives, goals and targets for the River Torrens catchment including the Torrens Lake;

Review the previous work including relevant contemporary academic publications and the current programs and projects that have been implemented on the River Torrens and catchment as well as actions on the Torrens Lake;

Identify current and possible future issues (including cynobacteria and the accumulation of gross pollutants) that need to be addressed in respect to the health of the urban River Torrens and Torrens Lake from a ecological, social and economic perspective;

Assess and recommend viable management and river rehabilitation options that are required to improve the River Torrens and Torrens Lake condition and in particular to manage urban River algal blooms, litter and debris and the ecological health of the system;

Prepare a final report to the Minister by March 2007.

Summary of finding

This is a report of the Torrens Taskforce to the Hon Gail Gago, Minister for Environment and
Conservation. The report was produced with the assistance of the Torrens Taskforce Reference Group, the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board staff and consultants from ARUP Pty Ltd.

• Dowload the final summary report - 3 May 2007

• University of Adelaide Publications
• Inorganic pollution River Torrens
• Phosphorus Balance for Torrens Lake
• Transfer to Downstream Users
• Torrens Lake Revised Report Text_080307
• Torrens Lake Revised Report Appendix A_080307
• Torrens Lake Revised Report Appendix B_080307
• Torrens Lake Revised Report Appendices C to F_08
• Store & Slow Water
• WSUD
• Upstream_weir
• Trash Racks & GPTs
• Exotic and Native Vegetation Impacts Report Issue
• Sewer and dry weather discharges ACC
• UV and Cyanobacteria
• Storage Options
• Environmental Values
• Bank filtration Torrens Lake – to improve water quality
• Bank filtration Torrens Lake– assessment of potential
• Treatment Processes

Taskforce members

The Torrens Taskforce, chaired by (Professor) Don Bursill, includes local scientists and engineers who have a strong history with the Torrens catchment including:

• Michelle Bald (Senior Ecologist, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation)
• Prof. Simon Beecham (Prof. Sustainable Water Resources Engineering, University of South Australia)
• Dr. Mike Burch (Senior Research Biologist, Australian Water Quality Centre)
• Dr. Simon Bryars (Senior Aquatic Scientist, SARDI Aquatic Sciences)
• Dr. David Cunliffe (Principal Water Quality Advisor, Department of Health)
• Prof. Howard Fallowfield (Prof. Environmental Health, Flinders University)
• Assoc. Prof. Professor George Ganf (Department of Environmental Biology, University of Adelaide)
• Peter Koukourou, (Adelaide & Mt. Lofty Natural Resource Management Board, Central Group)
• Alan Ockenden (Director Operations and projects, Adelaide & Mt. Lofty Natural Resources Management Board)
• Prof. Hilary Winchester (Pro Vice Chancellor, University of South Australia)

About the Chair

Professor Don Bursill

Professsor Don Bursill, Don Bursill retired in December 2005 as CEO of the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment and as Chief Scientist for SA Water. Don has had some 37 years experience in the water industry with his main interests in water quality, water resources management and water treatment technology development. He had a key involvement in the establishment of the Global Water Research Coalition – an international collaborative research organization formed in 2003 that has a membership that includes most of the world leading water research agencies. Don served on the Board of the GWRC and was the Deputy Chair at the time of his retirement.

Don has received a number of awards for his work, including a CSIRO medal and the inaugural Premier’s Medal awarded by the South Australian Branch of the Australian Water Association. 

Reference group

This Taskforce will be supported in its efforts by a reference group which includes representatives from:

Adelaide City Council
City of Charles Sturt
Campbell Town City Council
Adelaide Hills Council
Adelaide & Mount Lofty Natural Resources Management Board
Environment Protection Authority
SA Water Corporation
PIRSA
SA Tourism
KESAB
Landcare & Rural Community Conservation Groups
Friends of Gulf of St Vincent
Western Adelaide Coastal Residents Association
Torrens Lake Users
SA Farmer Federation
Conservation Council
Apple and Pear Association
The Advertiser

Reference Group

The Torrens Task Force seeks to build upon the work that has already been done or is underway through what was the Torrens Catchment Water Management Board, established in 1995 and since 2006 operating as part of the NRM Board.

The successes in cleaning up the Torrens catchment and the future challenges still to be met in resolving the area's long-standing and difficult rural and urban water resources issues, following a decade of that Board's operation, have been documented in a report "A Catchment Journey to Integrated Natural Resources Management 1995-2005".

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