Mali reveals when we can expect the algae summer plan, sharing ‘observations’ from his Yorke Peninsula holiday
Reflecting on the resilience of regional South Australians while on holiday in SA, Premier Peter Malinauskas has revealed there is hope on the horizon for the state’s algal crisis.
Premier Peter Malinauskas has finally announced when South Australians can expect the state’s algal bloom summer plan, also sharing how he and his family spent the October long weekend.
The Malinauskas family hopped in the car and road-tripped to the tip of the Yorke Peninsula over the weekend, one of the region’s most adversely impacted by the toxic algal bloom.
Some oyster growers and fishers on the Yorke Peninsula have been forced to close up shop as dead marine life washes up on beaches, while workers in the hospitality sector have raised concerns as to what their summer would look like, some worrying nobody would come for fear of the bloom.
But, sharing a family photo at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park at Inneston, Premier Malinauskas said a “comprehensive” summer plan was only a fortnight away.
“This weekend, I travelled with the family to the Yorke Peninsula and took the chance to speak to locals and some business operators regarding the Algal Bloom,” he said.
“There are a few observations worth sharing.
“Firstly, in regional SA, I think we are at the point where the perception of the algal bloom is doing as much damage as the bloom itself. Many, if not most, of our state’s most magnificent beaches are now unaffected by the bloom.
“Secondly, the Coast is Calling travel vouchers have clearly had a positive impact for many tourism operators over these school holidays. So if necessary, we can issue another round this summer.
“Thirdly, our National Parks are some of the best cared for in the world. There is something therapeutic about getting kids away from TV and the city and walking around nature. Every time we go to a national park, we reflect we should do it more often.”
Premier Malinauskas said despite a “comprehensive team of experts conducting exhaustive research” it was clear that “simply making the algal bloom disappear or even predicting when it will leave our gulf system is virtually impossible”.
“Which is why we are preparing the summer package which will be comprehensive in nature,” he said.
Premier Malinauskas last week revealed the “rather complex” plan was being developed “in conjunction with the Commonwealth”, and that new funding was being sought.
