Devastating mangrove die-off has St Kilda residents worried for town’s future

Concern over the future of St Kilda and its long-term tourism prospects is driving mounting pressure for greater action on the mangroves die-off.

St Kilda residents are concerned what the mangroves die-off could mean for the town. Picture: Alex Mausolf

Pressure is mounting for greater action on the St Kilda mangroves die-off, with residents concerned about what the environmental catastrophe could mean for the future of the town and its long-term tourism prospects.

The St Kilda and Surrounds Progress and Tourism Association held a meeting on Thursday night over concerns the mangrove die-off could damage the town’s reputation and hurt local business.

Chairman Lindsay Virgo, a St Kilda resident of more than 30 years, said at the moment, the mangrove die-off was actually prompting visitors to St Kilda, to see the devastation first-hand.

“It’s a bit like a bushfire situation at the moment, people want to come out and have a look to see what everyone’s talking about,” he said.

More than 600 visitors went on the mangrove boardwalk in December, and to January 20 there were 480.

The die-off of mangroves at St Kilda. Picture: Alex Mausolf

But Mr Virgo said the town’s residents were greatly concerned about what the die-off could mean in future years, especially as the town is so popular with fishing enthusiasts.

“The mangroves are a breeding ground for fish,” he said.

“We’ve had to add an additional ramp in St Kilda, to cater for the number of boats going out.

“But if fish stocks drop (due to the die-off) obviously the number of people using their boats will reduce.”

Mayor Gillian Aldridge said the St Kilda Mangrove Trail is an important attraction in the City of Salisbury and the preservation of the mangroves is critical from both a social and environmental perspective.

She said she wrote to the State Government early this month to express the council’s willingness to work on mitigation efforts.

Conservation Council chief executive Craig Wilkins says a united voice is needed in the fight to save the St Kilda mangroves. Picture: Calum Robertson

Deputy Labor leader Susan Close said people were demanding to know how the disaster occurred and what the long-term effects will be.

But the government says remedial work is going in the right direction, with promising early results.

“The State Government is working as quickly as possible to fix this complicated situation,” a spokeswoman said.

“Actions such as pumping water away from the impacted area has already occurred, and the best scientific evidence is showing that the situation has improved”.

The St Kilda Mangroves Alliance, being launched on Saturday, brings together groups from environment, industry, science and community sectors.

Council chief executive Craig Wilkins said the St Kilda Mangroves Alliance would bring together groups from the environment, industry, science and community sectors as one voice.

“The damage caused (to the mangroves) is going to take a long time to repair,” he said.