Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on Environment Minister Peter Garrett to be upfront with South Australians as to his decision on flooding the Lower Lakes with salt water.

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBCA) the Environment Minister had twenty working days to respond to the South Australian Government's request for approval of removing the barrages and letting salt water into the Lower Lakes. These twenty working days expired on December 31 2008.

"It's disappointing that no announcement has been made yet by the Minister, although his deadline to do so has passed," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"It's a bit rich given that public consultation on this issue was granted only the minimum of ten days - yet the Minister's own timeframe to make a decision has been extended to suit him.

"It's one set of rules for politicians, and another for the people.

"The Minister's tardiness and silence on this issue speaks volumes - it's time for him to make the lakes a priority and be upfront with South Australians."

Senator Hanson-Young said salt water flooding of the lakes was not the answer, and that there were other options.

"It's not an appropriate short-term solution, and definitely not a long-term solution.

"Clearly what the lakes need is some fresh water flows, but in the interim there are ways and means of managing the system.

"Other options like bioremediation should be looked into urgently."

Senator Hanson-Young said a holistic approach was needed in finding a solution.

"If the State Government is given the approval to flood the lakes with saltwater, this is a green light to the building of the Wellington weir and a new proposed weir at Clayton.

"Rather than being treated as different problems, the various proposals must be rolled into one plan and be referred as such for approval under the EPBCA so the Minister can take into account the risks and long-term impact of all of these proposals together."

Senator Hanson-Young said state and federal governments had run up the white flag on the Lower Lakes.

"We need an Environment Minister who is committed to ensuring the long-term protection of this internationally important environmental site.

"The Greens are committed to working on sustainable solutions to save Lake Albert, Lake Alexandrina, and the Coorong."