Liberals to follow Labor plan on Point Lowly port

Point Lowly Project Officer, Tom Cheesman, expressed disappointment at the pledge by the Liberals to spend $2 million towards an economic study for an expansion of Port Bonython (The Advertiser 27 February). He said, “If anyone thought we would get a different approach from the Liberals under Isobel Redmond towards the Point Lowly Peninsula, it appears they were sadly mistaken.”

In 1992, in the wake of the State Bank debacle, the Lyn Arnold Labor Government zoned the Point Lowly Peninsula for industry. Since then, there have been oil spills and leaks associated with the existing industry. The site where Western Plains Resources wants a bulk commodities port sits in the Cuttlefish exclusion zone. It is a part of the Upper Spencer Gulf that is currently being considered for a marine park. Indications are the site of the proposed new jetty is in an area that only allows ‘Coastal Conservation’ development. Mr Cheesman said, “How inappropriate is that?”

He said, “Its great to hear some money is finally going to be put into investigating new infrastructure, but what we really need is long-term solutions to what is basically an issue for the whole of Eyre Peninsula and the Upper North. We need solutions that are workable for all sectors, especially our fishing and aquaculture industries because the sea is their lifeblood. Who is standing up for the $800m fishing industry?”

He said, “We want jobs in Whyalla, we want to be the mining hub for the region, but why does that have to be at the expense of our existing Fishing, Aquaculture, Tourism and Recreation area? I mean, its smack bang in the middle of where the Cuttlefish breed. This debate has only ever been about location, location, location, and the sad truth is, there are alternative locations for a port which poses much less risk.”

Mr Cheesman concluded, “But it seems what the Liberals want is more exclusion zones, more fences and more ships for the Point Lowly Peninsula, which is exactly what the Rann Government has planned.”

Lights back on

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