A delegation of South Australian Mayors, industry leaders and marine experts will travel to Canberra this week to urge Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, to commit to extra measures – including a new national framework – to address the state’s ongoing algal bloom crisis.
The Great Southern Reef Harmful Algal Bloom Delegation to Canberra, initiated by City of Holdfast Bay Mayor, Amanda Wilson, with support from LGA South Australia President, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross, will meet with the Prime Minister, key Federal ministers, Senators and departmental heads to discuss the bloom devastating SA’s coasts.
The delegation will also meet with Federal Opposition Leader, Sussan Ley, along with parliamentarians from all sides.
It comes after the Prime Minister last week announced a further $6.25 million of support during his visit to Adelaide, including $4 million in grants for councils to assist communities and other funding for targeted scientific support, enhancements to CSIRO’s AquaWatch program, and new research.
Mayor Wilson said the visit to the nation’s capital will champion several key priorities.
“This algal bloom is a stark demonstration of how quickly rising ocean temperatures can devastate coastal communities. This is not just South Australia’s problem – it is a national challenge,” Mayor Wilson said.
“That’s why we’ll be urging the Prime Minister to establish a National Legislative and Policy Framework that recognises mass marine mortality events – ensuring they trigger a coordinated national response.
“Federal investment in a Community Wellbeing and Resilience Framework would also support social and mental health outcomes in coastal communities grappling with seeing their local marine life, beaches and industries decimated by this disaster.
“We’re also seeking a state-federal commitment to establish permanent coastal, ecological and marine biological monitoring and baseline data collection for the Great Southern Reef, which can be used to inform future decision-making about algal bloom nationally.
“This is about generating national support and coordination for this unprecedented disaster and ensuring South Australia isn’t left to go it alone.”
Mayor Holmes-Ross said LGA welcomed the recently announced Federal support measures but echoed the need for a stronger national effort – both in the acute response, remediation and longer-term recovery phases.
“Our coastal councils have led with excellence in responding to the algal bloom crisis so far – cleaning up thousands of dead marine animals from local beaches and providing a range of support services to their communities,” she said.
“The Prime Minister’s recent funding commitment will bolster this work, but it’s important decision-makers in Canberra understand the enormous value in properly equipping local government with the right funding and resources to continue meeting this challenge head-on.
“This disaster hasn’t appeared overnight – for months, our coastal councils and communities have been dealing with the devastating impact of the algal bloom.
“Recovery from this disaster won’t be quick and the effects will be felt for some time, with no guarantee of the bloom resolving as we head into the warmer months.
“It’s critical we remind parliamentarians of this fact and the urgent need for ongoing assistance and a national approach to response and recovery.”
The bloom, caused by toxic microalgae, has been impacting local waters since March, killing marine life, threatening aquaculture and tourism, devastating businesses, and raising public health concerns.
Delegates will also use the face-to-face opportunities to raise the issue of drought, which continues to affect many parts of regional South Australia and remains an ongoing focus.
Last week, the LGA together with the Adelaide Coastal Councils Network and South Australian Coastal Councils Alliance, lodged a formal submission to the Senate Inquiry into Algal Blooms in South Australia, with the key recommendations aligning with the priority asks that will be raised in Canberra.
The Great Southern Reef Harmful Algal Bloom Delegation to Canberra includes:
- Mayor Amanda Wilson, City of Holdfast Bay
- Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross, City of Mitcham/LGA South Australia
- Mayor Claire Boan, City of Port Adelaide Enfield
- Mayor Angela Evans, City of Charles Sturt
- Mayor Diana Mislov, City of Port Lincoln
- Acting Mayor Lauren Jew, City of Onkaparinga
- Acting Mayor Richard Carruthers, Yorke Peninsula Council
- Mayor Paul Simmons, Coorong District Council
- Mayor Keith Parkes, Alexandrina Council
- Councillor Gretel Wilkes, Adelaide Coastal Councils Network
- Dr Georgina Wood, Flinders University
- Professor Charlie Huveneers, Flinders University
- Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation
- Zoe Doubleday, Marine Ecologist
- Shaun De Bruyn, TicSA
- Ian Smith, Bespoke Approach
The submission can be read in full on the LGA website.
