A small band of Whyalla residents braved the cold wet winter weather to travel the 35Km to the Point Lowly cottages to attend the Port Bonython Fuels Information session. Local resident and save point lowly member Sarah Bradbury said she was disgusted with the choice of venue 35Km from Whyalla “ A lot of people in Whyalla didn’t have transport to come out here and voice their opinion” she said “Despite the cold we have a good group of protestors here who don’t want this to happen”
The information session consisted of four small displays showing Port Bonython Fuels plans for their slice of the Point Lowly Peninsula, which they had just purchased from the State Government. Compared to the BHP Billiton Expo it was very low budget and whilst the representatives were very helpful and candid, no one could work why it was being held in a small shed at the Lighthouse cottages. The event was described by Whyalla residents as “terrible” and a “set up”
Port Bonython Fuels said the City of Whyalla and the Economic Development Board had been consulted but the residents said that they, the residents of Whyalla, had not been consulted about this refinery and the reason was, they would have said No.
State Government picks up environmental tab.
It appears that as a condition of the land sale, Port Bonython Fuels has been let off the environment restoration hook. As part of the land deal, Port Bonython Fuels does not have to make any restitution for the environmental destruction caused by the installation of the refinery at Point Lowly. Instead the South Australian government is going to pay the environmental bill. Save Point Lowly protestors say that this was unacceptable to use public money subsidise Port Bonython Fuels refinery.
Further angering the residents, Bonython Fuels stated that the area had “low native vegetation value” .The Whyalla residents were quick to point out that this area was their recreation area and lots of tourists come here for the natural beauty. Whyalla resident, John Scott said the refinery “Will be another distraction from the character and amenity of the area” he said, “It will forestall our opportunities to make other more sustainable alternatives for the peninsular, the clean and green alternatives, tourism, recreation, and coastal living, which is what the peninsular is most appropriate for.”
Steve Walker, a Whyalla resident of 40 years says “What worries me the most about this is the potential for restricted access” he said “Will the area be fenced off as a security risk and we will lose access to the area” This he feels will be the biggest effect on the area. Read more
Long trek to oppose Lowly refinery
Lights back on
The Whyalla Council has turn the Point Lowly Lighthouse light back on with a dimmer yellow light