Point Lowly is a popular recreation spot. A rare marine animal prefers the area for its annual pilgrimage to flirt, mate and spawn metres from shore. The idyllic setting, however, has become the centre of a storm, pitting locals and conservationists against industry over the right to increase use of the area.

Point Lowly, 35km north of Whyalla, already is an industrial area as a base for gas exports from Moomba to the world for more than 25 years. The 2.4km-long jetty of Port Bonython is on the point. About 30 ships a year are loaded there with fuel.

Port Bonython has been identified by the State Government for an upgrade to become a deep-sea port for industrial clients, including companies involved in the growing mining industry.

A desalination plant, to produce water for the proposed BHP Billiton Olympic Dam mine expansion and households and businesses on Eyre Peninsula, also is proposed for Point Lowly. Many locals and environmentalists, opposed to the increase in industry in the area, say they are not against development but cannot see why alternative locations, where there is a less risk of environmental damage, are not being considered.

Save Point Lowly project officer Tom Cheesman said the waters off Point Lowly acted as a marine nursery and a breeding ground for many species, not just the unique giant cuttlefish, which would be at risk from the strong water intake and saline discharge of a desalination plant. Cuttlefish are sensitive to salinity and live only one to two years, meaning if larvae were killed one year, the congregation could be wiped out by the next.

Save Point Lowly is concerned about BHP Billiton's Environmental Impact Statement revealing the plant "never" will have an impact on the marine environment, despite also stating there is little known about the local marine environment.

Whyalla Council hosted an information session this month to give residents more information on the desalination plant. Mr Cheesman said a survey of the 150 attendees found 89 per cent wanted the area used for recreation, 80 per cent tourism and 59 per cent fishing and aquaculture. Only 4 per cent wanted industry at Point Lowly.

The Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fisherman's Association opposes the desalination plant at Point Lowly.

State Parliament's Environment, Resources and Development Committee has recommended an alternate site be considered.

Local MP and the committee's presiding member Lyn Breuer said it was told Point Lowly was the "worst possible site" for the plant. She said the threat to the cuttlefish and lack of substantive data on the effects of the saline discharge from the plant on the marine environment were among reasons.

SA Greens MLC Mark Parnell said: "All BHP Billiton's glossy spin and weak science to justify Point Lowly is just a cover for choosing the cheapest option."

Whyalla Mayor Jim Pollock said council would await the "wash up" from submissions to BHP Billiton's EIS before reaching a position. "It's a hot, sensitive issue here," he said "I was a strong supporter for the desalination plant when it was first suggested but things have changed a bit.

"We are very cautious and conscious of the environment here in Whyalla, particularly at Point Lowly."

He said council also would wait for the State Government to reveal more on a deep-sea port at Port Bonython. "There is a desperate need for a deep-sea commodities export facility in this region and once again that will be determined by environmental sites, cost analysis, risk analysis and triple bottom lines as to the best decision," he said. "Junior miners can start exporting and once they start that creates jobs and that's what communities survive on. But all options should be considered."

The new deep-sea port at Port Bonython is proposed farther west and deeper into the cuttlefish breeding grounds than the existing jetty. It is part of 500ha of State Government industrial land under consideration for development. A spokesman for Infrastructure Minister Patrick Conlon said the Government still was considering the feasibility study for the deep-sea port at Port Bonython. He said that still was the preferred location by the State Government and industry.

Save Point Lowly suggests Mullaquana, 30km south of Whyalla, is a better option for a deep-sea port, as it has less recreation and tourism and a less delicate marine environment. Mr Cheesman said Mullaquana would need infrastructure, such as rail lines and roads, but its deeper water meant it would not have to be dredged, as needed at Point Lowly.

Idyllic Point Lowly at centre of storm

Cara Jenkin. The Advertiser. AUGUST 22, 2009. Adelaide Now article.

THE white, sandy beaches and shallow waters north of Whyalla usually are calm.

Lights back on

The Whyalla Council has turn the Point Lowly Lighthouse light back on with a dimmer yellow light