Whyalla City Council is ensuring the community can have their say on a proposed development by fish farm operator Clean Seas before any agreements are finalised.
This was the outcome of this month’s Council meeting, with Elected Members ensuring a number of steps are in place to help address and alleviate community concern.
Council last year unanimously resolved to not enter into an agreement with Clean Seas due to the risks associated with its previous proposal outweighing its public value.
However, Council CEO Justin Commons said several factors meant Council was willing to re-engage with Clean Seas on a revised proposal and approach.
“Clean Seas are now open to further negotiations to ensure they can meet community expectations while helping bring another industry to the city,” Mr Commons said.
“The State Government – which has previously approved licences for the fish farms within Fitzgerald Bay – has now also thrown their support behind the project and are keen to see it progress, so this being another factor to be considered.”
Mr Commons has now been authorised by the Elected Members to negotiate a suitable draft agreement with Clean Seas to operate at the Point Lowly Marina for up to three years.
“This short-term agreement – if approved by Council – would aim to see Clean Seas prioritise a suitable development plan for a new, standalone facility to the northeast of Point Lowly – at ‘The Landing’,” he said.
“This will alleviate the need to use the Point Lowly marina on an ongoing basis.”
Mr Commons said any proposed agreement would be contingent upon:
- The aforementioned development plan for a new, fit-for-purpose facility at ‘The Landing’
- An independent marine engineering assessment of the suitability of the existing Point Lowly infrastructure to facilitate the proposed operations
- Community consultation
- Final Council approval (after all of the above elements have been incorporated).
“Council assures the community that consideration will be given to the balance between diversification of our economy – including new industry and employment opportunities – versus protecting tourism and recreational use of the Point Lowly facility,” he said.
“Clean Seas have recently demonstrated a flexibility to address community expectations, actively seeking to reach an agreement with Council through constructive dialogue and compromise with local stakeholders.
“As a result, Council aims to assist all parties in working together to find a way forward to suit all concerned.”
Mr Commons said community consultation would not focus on the merits of fish farming – as this was the responsibility of the State Government – but rather on access arrangements for use of the Point Lowly marina, pending the establishment of new facilities.
Council will provide ongoing updates over the coming weeks on how residents can have their say on the proposed development.