Labors Port Bonython naming disgrace

Save Point Lowly Project Officer, Tom Cheesman, expressed his disappointment at the Rann Labor governments rejection of the people of Whyalla’s call for the name ‘Point Lowly’ to be the title of the rural locality on the Point Lowly Peninsula. The Minister for Infrastructure, Patrick Conlon, went ahead and gazetted ‘Port Bonython’ as the name for the rural locality, on 4th February, contrary to the wishes of Whyalla residents.

Mr Cheesman said, “Once again Whyalla comes last in the eyes of Adelaide. Once again the interests of big business are put ahead of the people. It is a disgrace.” The Point Lowly naming issue generated a lot of discussion last year when it was revealed the Government wanted to name the vast bulk of the Point Lowly Peninsula after Santos’ first Chairman, Sir John Bonython.

“Whyalla residents were adamant that the name Matthew Flinders gave it in 1802, ‘Lowly Point’ should be retained in the name for the rural locality, such as ‘Point Lowly’.”

“We had over 250 signatures on the giant petition we prepared. I visited the foreshore, Point Lowly, Tanderra, sporting and fishing groups who all contributed signatures to the petition. It was a real community effort.”

Save Point Lowly’s submission to government outlined a host of reasons why the name should not change. When the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure replied, it was a dismissive ‘Thank you for your comments on this proposal.”

Mr Cheesman said, “There was no explanation for the name change, no justification, it was just changed because…. Adelaide knows best.”

“Even the member for Giles. Lyn Breuer wrote a strong letter to her Labor colleague Patrick Conlon; “I am very angry at the proposal to change the name,” she said and ended the letter by saying “The name ‘Pt Lowly Peninsula’ must be gazetted”. The rest is history. Once again Ms Breuer has failed to deliver for the people of Whyalla. How are we meant to trust her to safeguard our best interests, if she cannot even persuade her own colleagues in Adelaide about a name change? How is she going to tackle the big issues like mining royalties, water and the coming Roxby Downs Indenture Act negotiations?”

“If ever people were in any doubt about Lyn Breuer’s ineffectiveness in getting Adelaide to act, then this was it… if you can’t preserve a historical name, then you don’t deserve to represent the people of Whyalla.”

“If this issue says one thing to us, it is this; Whyalla needs a change; Whyalla needs a fresh start with someone who can get the job done and I believe that is the Greens candidate, Dr Andrew Melville-Smith. At least he can be counted on to be an independent voice in parliament, if elected on March 20.

Lights back on

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