International recognition for Kangaroo Island coastline biodiversity buoys fight against $40 million seaport
International recognition of Kangaroo Island’s vital north coast animal habitat has buoyed the spirits of conservationists fighting plans for a $40 million seaport.
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Conservationists hope international recognition of Kangaroo Island’s marine biodiversity will help block plans for a $40 million seaport at Smith Bay.
A task-force backed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared SA’s gulfs and nearby waters, including the island’s north coast, an “Important Marine Mammal Area”.
It comes as Mission Blue has also recognised Kangaroo Island’s north coast as a Hope Spot – among a series of places around the globe deemed as critical to the health of the ocean.
The protections recognise the area’s biodiversity and significance as habitat for animals such as southern right whales, blue whales, Australian sea lions and leafy seadragons.
Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch co-ordinator Tony Bartram hoped the declarations would help convince the State Government to deny Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers’ plans for a deepwater port at Smith Bay.
The project – under assessment – would allow the business to export its timber from the island, and it argues it would create more than 250 jobs and add about $50 million to the economy each year.
But it has faced strong opposition from locals, who are worried the port will threaten marine life and Yumbah’s neighbouring abalone farm.
“There’s considerable concern for the marine environment because currently it’s relatively pristine,” Mr Bartram said. He hoped the declarations would bring more eco-tourism opportunities to the island. Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers has redesigned its project to do away with dredging in a bid to win approval. It said the changes addressed the bulk of concerns raised about its environmental impacts.
Managing director Keith Lamb said the project would have “no lasting impact” on the marine environment.
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Mr Lamb said the effects of last summer’s horror bushfires and COVID-19 made it “more important than ever” that the seaport proceed. “If ever there’s a case to be made for a major piece of infrastructure that will have wider benefits for the community, now is the time for it,” he said.
“The coastline on Kangaroo Island and the mainland goes for many thousands of kilometres. “It’s hard to believe the arguments that a 650m suspended deck jetty could have an impact on those thousands of kilometres of coastline and habitat.”