Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Some parts of South Australia have had the lowest rainfall since records began. In 2024 Strathalbyn received just 68 per cent of their average rainfall; Cape Willoughby, 62 per cent; and Gumeracha, just 59 per cent. The dams are drying up, and there's no feed in the paddocks.

While we're accustomed to periods of drought, households in Mayo not connected to mains water are running out of water—no water for drinking, no water for washing clothes and no water for cleaning the children. For many, this is their first time. Typically, water carters fill up empty tanks; however, the demand is so great that some households have been told that they can't get a tanker until March. Some are making the heartbreaking decision to leave their homes. I'm advised that one water carter has more than 50 customers who have run out of water. Domestic demand for water has reduced the water pressure to such an extent that filling up a tank, which once took around half an hour, is now taking an hour and a half, extending critical delivery times.

My office has been in contact with the office for the South Australian minister for water. There are practical steps that we can take to improve water deliveries, which are being shared between our offices. We need to work collaboratively and quickly, and I'm pleased that our offices have a mutual desire to fix this issue.