is the cooper basin drying up

Heard on ABC radio this morning a report from a pilot who regularly overflies Lake Eyre that it's level is now down to 15% from 70% at its peak even though runoff from the Cooper and another source is still being maintained. He further stated that he thinks within a month the lake will be dry due to the increased evaporation rate experienced there.
I wonder if the recent trading activity is a reflection of the earlier than anticipated startup of drilling.