EP Seafoods’ Mark Andrews says independent experts claim site not safe for marine ecosystem

A seafood titan has hit out at SA Water saying its plan for a $100m desalination plant is not safe for the marine ecosystem at its proposed location.

Aquaculture farmers have hit out saying a contentious $100m desalination plant is not safe for the marine ecosystem, as SA Water sets its sight on Billy Lights Point.

SA Water says over the past six months it has looked at more than 20 sites around the Eyre Peninsula, assessing environmental impacts.

The proposed plant would supplement groundwater supply and ensure water security for the region.
General manager of sustainable infrastructure Amanda Lewry said Billy Lights Point would allow adequate dispersal of concentrated seawater, avoid heritage and native vegetation impact, maintain distance from residential areas and is close to existing electricity networks.

Billy Lights Point boat ramp at Port Lincoln.

“We’re currently finalising our review process and hope to share details with stakeholders and the wider Eyre Peninsula community soon,” she said.

“The local industry (has) been actively involved in this process, including through a reference group comprising key stakeholders, including the aquaculture industry.

“We’re really pleased local mussel growers in particular have been willing to have constructive conversations with us from the outset, and we’re doing several things in response to insights we have received from them.”

SA Water says it has completed 20 different studies, reviews and processes, covering areas such as marine and terrestrial movements, that will be assessed by independent regulators.

“What we already know is that a new desalination plant at Billy Lights Point would draw a total of 30 megalitres of water from the ocean each day, which is 0.000017 per cent of the volume of the nearby bays,” Ms Lewry said.

“Oceanographic modelling shows adequate currents within Boston Bay to disperse concentrated seawater returned from the plant.”

However Mark Andrews from EP Seafoods, who is leading the charge against the desalination plant’s location, says the plant is unwarranted, and potentially unsafe for marine life.

“On SA Water and the consultation, notably: ‘We’re really pleased local mussel growers in particular have been willing to have constructive conversations with us from the outset’, that’s not how I would describe it at all,” he said.

“We’ve had SA Water make a presentation and we have made our displeasure felt. That displeasure is based on independent advice given to us.”

Mr Andrews said experts, including marine biologist Dr Paul McShane and oceanographer Associate Professor Jochen Kaempf say there is no evidence the desalination plant is safe for the ecosystem, nor does it have an economic basis.

“A desalination plant at Billy Lights Point would act like a wrecking ball through the local economy,” Mr Andrews said.

“We have not seen any detail of the other sites and are not aware of what plan B, C, D maybe. It’s of great concern to us that Billy Lights Point may be the only option on the table.”

Independent Senator Rex Patrick has thrown his weight behind the EP community’s right to make an informed decision on a proposed desalination plant.

A petition with more than 200 signatures is circulating to reject Billy Lights Point as a potential location. Residents and concerned parties are invited to take an SA Water survey on the desalination plant.

EARLIER: Port Lincoln aquaculture businesses were at the forefront of the battle against the contentious desalination plant, slated for near Boston Bay.

EP Seafoods chief executive Mark Andrews and executive director Andrew Puglisi.

The concerns raised fell mainly on SA Waters proposed location and the timeline in which they have allocated for the project.

Council’s stance on the desalination plant depends on whether the risks to aquaculture can be “ameliorated satisfactorily”, and if not, that the plant should be moved to another location.

Mayor Brad Flaherty praised Mr Andrews and Mr Puglisi for their “very persuasive concerns” but clarified that the city can’t be without a reliable water supply.

Councillor Faye Davis noted that without the fishing industry however, Port Lincoln may not have a population to need water.

CEO Matthew Morgan suggested council “request a priority update from SA Water” resulting in a secondary recommendation that council will write to both SA Water and the Minister in which the motion was carried.

EARLIER: Independent South Australian Senator Rex Patrick has thrown his weight behind the EP community’s right to make an informed decision on a proposed desalination plant.

This comes ahead of Port Lincoln Council’s Monday meeting, where the controversial project is on the agenda.

Currently the recommendation to council is “if the risks to the aquaculture cannot be ameliorated satisfactorily (let alone other potential amenity impacts), then council strongly believes that SA Water should be investigating and pursuing other locations outside of Boston and Proper Bays for the construction of a desalination plant.”

Community concerns around the project consider the effect desalination will have on aquaculture.

Visiting Port Lincoln last week, Mr Patrick addressed concerns surrounding the $100m plan for the city’s Billy Lights Point near Boston and Proper bays after the initial location of Sleaford Bay was ruled out.

SA senator Rex Patrick visited Port Lincoln last week. Picture: Micaela Stark

Mr Patrick said there were “options that are on the table” for the SA Water seawater desalination plant and he was willing to be the voice of the community and industry.

The senator met with business owners, recreational and commercial fisherman to discuss the project.

Leading voice in the room, EP Seafoods chief executive Mark Andrews raised concerns for the project’s potential industry impacts, receiving many nods from attendees.

He said the business – which accounts for 55 per cent of national mussel production and is expected to grow to 75 per cent – and farming techniques were a ‘unique’ argument against the new proposed location.

“We’re all very supportive of a desalination plant here within the Eyre Peninsula but this location is of key concern – that’s why we’re all here,” Mr Andrews said.

“SA Water have been liaising with us quite well.

“Initially they thought about locating a desalination plant here in Port Lincoln at Billy Lights Point but because of the scale of aquaculture within the region, they decided to look elsewhere and unfortunately they’ve turned back up here.

“When I moved here from New Zealand I looked at mussel farming in Tasmania, Victoria, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Spain to set up a farming system and I chose here for that one reason – the prolific mussel spat that falls here every year.”

The business’ executive director Andrew Puglisi recently told The Advertiser the Billy Lights Point location near Boston Bay would put the mussel farm at risk directly impacting their livelihood, including its 55 employees.

Tackle World Port Lincoln, the EP Recreational Fishing Association, and Landscape Department Advisory Board were represented with Claire Webber speaking on behalf of the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association.

Regional Development Australia hosted Senator Rex Patrick on Thursday regarding a proposed desalination plant. Picture: Micaela Stark

“SA Waters timelines are quite confronting – 2023 they want to be producing by then,” Ms Webber said.

“I’m wondering if they’re strategically holding information back because then we don’t have the time to critique it – I would like to think they wouldn’t do that.”

“Of course they are,” shouted one attendee who said they were among a group waiting two weeks longer than expected for a summary from a workshop with SA Water which had left many questions unanswered.

Ms Webber went on to ask Mr Patrick what their next step should be in challenging the location.

He recommended seeking official documents via the Freedom Of Information Act.

“You say ‘I seek access to the most recent drafts of the minutes,’ that generally kicks people along,” Mr Patrick said.

According to Regional Development Australia, SA Water will undertake studies and work with PIRSA/SARDI to preserve and maintain the current marine environment.

“SA Water are working with Port Lincoln businesses and industry representatives, landholders, local Aboriginal communities and councils, as their input will help inform potential alternative sites and ensure all interests are being taken into consideration and local knowledge is used to add value to the project,” the statement reads.