Clean Seas gets green light from Council
Key Points
- Whyalla City Council has granted a three-year lease to Clean Seas to access the Point Lowly Marina for its proposed yellowtail kingfish farm
- Clean Seas’ operations will bring a new industry to Whyalla, creating job opportunities and supply chain spend that adds value to our economy
- Council’s ongoing objections to previous proposals ultimately led to strict conditions that address many community concerns
- The State Government had already granted aquaculture approvals to Clean Seas, giving assurances that there will be negligible impact on aquaculture, including the Great Australian Cuttlefish
- Responsibility for the protection of Fitzgerald Bay’s unique marine environment ultimately rests with the State Government, via their approvals and compliance monitoring
- An independent assessment of the Point Lowly marina has deemed it suitable for the proposed operations, provided Clean Seas undertakes modifications at its own expense
- The State Government advised that it will reclaim control of the marina if Council could not reach successful negotiations with Clean Seas, removing Council’s ability to impose restrictions and minimise potential impacts
- Strict independent environmental monitoring and regulations will be in place, with Council requesting that monitoring data be made publicly available
- The technology and practices currently used by Clean Seas are different to when they operated here previously; and they have now demonstrated a willingness to compromise and consult with Council and the community
- Clean Seas has agreed to start constructing a new purpose-built loading facility within the next three years, alleviating the ongoing need to use the Point Lowly Marina
Whyalla City Council has granted Clean Seas’ three-year access to the Point Lowly Marina, adopting strict conditions to minimise impacts to nearby shack owners and marina users, as well as ensuring that extensive, independent environmental monitoring is in place to help identify and prevent impacts on the Giant Australian Cuttlefish.
Clean Seas’ operations will bring a new industry to Whyalla, contributing additional employment opportunities and supply chain spend that adds value to the local economy.
On several previous occasions, Council had voted not to enter into an agreement with Clean Seas due to concerns associated with their previous operations in Fitzgerald Bay, as well as former proposals being deemed unacceptable to both Council and the community.
Mayor Clare McLaughlin said that Council’s objections to previous proposals had enabled extensive ongoing consultation with the community and direct negotiations with Clean Seas, ultimately leading to a significantly-improved outcome that addresses many of the community concerns.
“It’s important to note that the State Government owns the Point Lowly Marina and that Council only has control of the facility via a Licence with the government,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“The State Government has already granted aquaculture approvals to Clean Seas and is supportive of their use of the Point Lowly Marina. Further, a recent independent assessment of the facility deemed it to be suitable – with upgrades at Clean Seas’ expense – for the proposed operations.
“The State Government has recently advised that it will reclaim control of the marina if successful negotiations with Clean Seas could not be reached. This would remove Council’s ability to impose restrictions on the use of the facility and, in-turn, minimise potential impacts on our community.
“Our hands have therefore been forced in making a decision that a number of councillors are still uncomfortable with. However, Council believed it was better to retain control of the marina, rather than the State Government passing control to an unknown third party.”
Mayor McLaughlin said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) Council has negotiated outlines strict controls, as well as expectations of consultation, compromise and engagement with Council and the community on an ongoing basis.
“Clean Seas is fully aware that its previous operations at the Point Lowly Marina were not to the standard we expect,” she said.
“The technology and practices Clean Seas now use are different to when they operated here previously; and Clean Seas has now demonstrated a willingness to compromise and consult with Council and the community – something that hasn’t been seen in the past.
“They have also come a long way in seeking a workable solution with Council and the community, with their ‘heavy lifting’ to be done out of Port Pirie as opposed to Point Lowly being just one example.”
Mayor McLaughlin said Council was passionate about protecting Whyalla’s unique cuttlefish congregation, which played a significant part in the final decision.
“We have been assured by PIRSA and the EPA that the nutrient levels from the farms would be well below the accepted guidelines and therefore have a negligible impact on aquaculture, including the Great Australian Cuttlefish,” she said.
“Despite this, there will be strict independent environmental monitoring and regulations in place – undertaken by both Clean Seas and State Government bodies – with Council requesting the monitoring data be made publicly available to ensure Clean Seas is held accountable to protecting the marine environment. Council will also seek to involve not-for-profit organisation AusOcean to conduct real-time, continuous monitoring, providing additional independent data.
“We have extremely high expectations that the responsible government agencies ensure all environmental concerns are actively monitored and addressed. This includes PIRSA only granting annual licence extensions until it is proven that Clean Seas’ operations are having no adverse effects on the marine environment.
“Ultimately, the State Government will be responsible for the protection of our pristine Fitzgerald Bay marine environment as a result of the approvals they have granted.”
Mayor McLaughlin said it was also important to acknowledge that Clean Seas’ operations contribute significantly to the state’s economy, and that there will be other benefits for Whyalla beyond the economic benefit of local jobs and expenditure.
“Although they will only have temporary access to the Point Lowly Marina, Clean Seas will be required to undertake the remedial work identified in the independent assessment report – at their own cost – prior to commencing operations. This will provide an improved facility for all users of the marina,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“Clean Seas has also acquired land to the northeast of the facility for development, committing to commencing building a fit-for-purpose marine aquaculture loading facility there within the next three years, alleviating the ongoing need to access the current facility that is well utilised by the community.
“Clean Seas will partner with schools to provide training opportunities in aquaculture, while other aquaculture opportunities – such as seaweed harvesting – will also be explored by Council to further diversify our economy.”
Mayor McLaughlin encouraged the community to view the full MOU on Council’s website HERE to gain a better understanding of the agreement and the extensive controls and conditions that will be in place.
Key components of the MOU include:
- ‘Heavy lifting’ of bulk food and fish harvesting to be done out of Port Pirie
- No nets to be brought through the Point Lowly Marina
- Using vessels smaller than 18.5m in length in the marina
- Concluding operations by 9pm each night
- Not accessing the marina more than four times per day for larger (+6m) vessels, or allow such vessels to remain in the marina for an unreasonable length of time while not being loaded or unloaded
- Engaging with stakeholders in an open and responsive manner and holding regular meetings
- Recording all complaints and feedback received, as well as Clean Seas’ response and the resolution for each individual item
- Setting aside $500,000 to complete the first phase of construction on the new facility (including a new boat ramp), aiming to have this completed no later than September 2022
- Clean Seas to provide a bank guarantee for potential damages and/or breach of licence arrangements
- Rectification works to the marina and hard stand area – as well as installation of CCTV – to be at Clean Seas’ expense and completed prior to operations commencing