Victor Harbor $11m cruise ship plan sparks worries about endangered southern right whales

A proposal to build an $11m boat landing area, capable of accepting cruise ships at Victor Harbor could result in whales abandoning the important breeding zone.

Whale advocates are concerned a proposal for an $11m boat landing area at Victor Harbor could drive away the majestic mammals.

Victor Harbor Council has completed a business case on the project, which is being considered for Eastern Beach, near Bridge Tce, north of the Granite Island causeway.

But conservation groups are worried the facility – capable of hosting recreational and commercial fishing boats, emergency operations and tender ships for cruise passengers – could spell disaster for endangered southern right whales.

They say construction noise could drive away the animals, and its ongoing operation will bring extra boating traffic, increasing the risk of vessel strikes.

Conservation SA chief executive Craig Wilkins said it was “startling” that the council’s business case for the project – to be considered by elected members later this month – contained “barely a fleeting reference” to its effect on the area’s whale nursery.

Resident mother and calf whale pairs in the Encounter Bay Nursery area . Picture: Debbie Prestwood

“There appears to be a false assumption that the whales will continue to come to Encounter Bay, no matter what we humans do. That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Mr Wilkins said.

“Human activity, particularly boat noise and traffic, has a massive impact on whale safety and behaviour.”

Mr Wilkins said any new boating infrastructure must incorporate a clearer and larger safety zone for whales’ critical habitat and nursery.

Victor Harbor’s business case said a new boat landing area welcoming cruise ships would give South Australia’s economy a $118m boost over two decades.

An artist's impression of the new Granite Island causeway, under construction at Victor Harbor. Picture: Supplied

If the council decides to pursue the idea, it will need to complete more impact assessments for the project, focusing on issues including its potential effects on animals, sand movement, the sea floor, native vegetation and Aboriginal heritage.

Encounter Whales spokeswoman Elizabeth Steele-Collins said if the project went ahead, construction must happen outside of the whales’ breeding season and extra measures, including speed limits, were needed.

She said she was concerned construction of the new $41m Granite Island causeway already may be driving away whales.

Mayor Moira Jenkins says Victor Harbor Council will decide next month whether to pursue plans for cruise ship infrastructure to the town. Picture: Tom Huntley

“We don’t think it’s a coincidence that a new mum and her newborn calf within the calving and nursery area just vanished straight after a pile driving event (in July),” Ms Steele-Collins said.

“The whales are already up against a lot because this is a busy boating community.”

Ms Steele-Collins said mothers and calves were particularly susceptible to vessel strike because calves were inexperienced and slow moving.

“Whales are known to abandon favoured areas if disturbed. Our concern is that if this happens here, those whales may not come back again,” she said.

Victor Harbor Mayor Moira Jenkins said she and some other councillors shared concerns about the project’s environmental effects and would decide next month whether to take it further.

“Our animals and our marine environment are really important economically to the region as well as being one of the beautiful features of Victor Harbor,” she said.

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