Hon Gail Gago MP
Minister: Environment and Conservation
Address: GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001
Email: minister.gago@saugov.sa.gov.au
Re: proposed BHP Billiton desalinisation plant in the upper Spencer Gulf
Dear Minister Gago,
I wish to express my deep concern over the location of the proposed BHP Billiton
desalinisation plant in the upper Spencer Gulf. This has potentially devastating environmental
impacts on the unique ecology of this area, notably on the breeding grounds of the iconic
Giant Cuttlefish Sepia apama, as well on commercial and recreational fishing species and
grounds.
Giant Cuttlefish are important to ecotourism and as a food source for species such as
snapper and dolphins.
The annual breeding aggregation of Giant Cuttlefish in the Point Lowly (Whyalla)
region is the only one of its kind in the world.
The proposed outfall and intake for the pilot plant is only 200m from the location of
this breeding aggregation. The impacts of the highly saline and potentially chemically
contaminated outfall on the cuttlefish and other species are poorly understood and
likely to be catastrophic. Similarly the intake pipe has potential to take a heavy toll on
recently hatched cuttlefish.
Modelling suggests that larvae of commercially important species such as King
George whiting, prawns and blue crab are seasonally concentrated in South Australian
gulf waters. Larvae that are sucked into the proposed desalination plant will die and
will not contribute to the sustainability of the Spencer Gulf ecosystem or the fisheries
it supports.
The marine environment in the upper Spencer Gulf is characterized by high
biodiversity, shallow depths, naturally high salinity, dodge tides, low wave action and
restricted water exchange with surrounding waters. "It is difficult to think of a more
inappropriate location for a desalination plant in South Australia. The State
Government is pursuing this development with evangelical zeal and environmental
concerns are being given only token consideration” - Dr Toby Bolton, Flinders
University Marine Biologist.
Recreational fishers, commercial fishers and environmentalists are very concerned
about this proposal and will be informing the general public of their concerns. Any
public support for this proposal is likely to evaporate as the full implications of the
proposal become known.
I urge you to pursue this issue; South Australia’s Gulf waters are unsuitable for a major
desalination plant and an alternative location for the BHP plant must be chosen.
Yours sincerely,
SIGNATORY