"Tomorrow" demands Rann

Mr.Rann arrived at Whyalla airport on his whirl wind tour of consultation to gauge public feeling about the infrastructure location and requirements to support the massive Olympic Dam expansion. He was greeted by 35 Whyalla residents and large banners promoting the message “Hands off Point Lowly” The poll conducted by the Whyalla Council showed that over 80% of the electorate said NO to any further industrialization of the Point Lowly peninsular and this was echoed by the residents on Monday night.

However despite the overwhelming local public opposition to Mr. Rann and BHP Billiton’s plans for Point Lowly, the government seems intent on bull dozing ahead and placing the infrastructure there in it desperate headlong rush to create the worlds largest mine and boost South Australia’s population by another 500,000 people.

When asked about the alternative port proposition at Mullaquana, Mr.Rann was totally ignorant of the proposal, despite numerous submissions to the Premier and the cabinet. Discussions between Mr. Rann and the residents became heated when Mr. Rann said he knew nothing of the alternative port proposal and then demanded that the residents give him a submission. “You will, tomorrow, give me a written submission that I can take to cabinet.” Mr Rann said ”I want that by the time I leave tomorrow”

What the residents didn’t know was that as the discussions and consultation were taking place, the government inadvertently showed the residents their true intention by approving the sale of land at Point Lowly for a new diesel facility before the Point Lowly port was approved. This slip up by the Rann government indicates that it is going ahead regardless of the impediments and this throws the spotlight on their desperation to get the Olympic Dam expansion underway at any cost before the next election. “Secure jobs for the future” said Mr. Rann in a momentary lapse of candour ”That's what I am on about.”

“You will, tomorrow, give me a written submission that I can take to cabinet.” demanded Premier Rann.

Lights back on

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