The leafy seadragon
The marine ecosystems of Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf, including the waters to Kangaroo Island, are among the most diverse in the world because of their estuarine nature. The species density of both plant and animal life is around fifty times more varied than on the Great Barrier Reef. Desalination plants will harm these environments with their discharges of hyper-saline brine and chemical wastes.
The Port Stanvac desalination plant
Environmentalists Ruth Trigg and Professor Diane Bell will officiate at the Embassy opening and a large crowd is expected to witness the first opening of an activists’ Embassy in a building.
They will be joined by the Save Our Gulf Coalition and the Water Action Coalition and other community and environmental organisations.
The expected crowd will be entertained with two new songs about the desalination plant campaign, one to the music of Beatles favourite Ticket To Ride by local group The Dudleys, and River Song by Steve Foster.
(L-R) Professor Diane Bell, Corrie Vaderhoek and Ruth Trigg
According to Ruth Trigg, the discharge from the Port Stanvac Desalination Plant of hyper-saline brine and chemical wastes will do enormous damage to marine life.
“These deadly cocktails cannot disperse within the shallow, slow-moving Gulf waters,” she said.
“Independent researchers at Flinders University have shown that the change of a small range of parts per million in salinity can kill fish eggs.
“The fish nurseries in the mangroves at St Kilda are north of the desalination plant at Port Stanvac and these stocks face threat as they migrate south through the Gulf.
“What can we do as concerned citizens? As individuals, not a great deal, but as a group we can make a big difference.”
Save Our Gulfs Vigils
“Thirty-minute vigils will be held every week at points along the coast or on our street corners,” Ruth said.
“Attending a vigil is an action to show that we are watching and that we are acting to support the health of our Gulfs.
“We invite you to join our vigils for the Gulfs to gain more knowledge about the workings of this desalination plant as well as others around the world and to learn of other solutions for water management in South Australia
“The Port Stanvac desalination plant is due to start operating in December but it is not too late to stop it.
“Much money has been spent; however, large projects can be halted.
“The persistent work of the Mary River community at Traveston Crossing in southeast Queensland stopped the construction of a dam earlier this year, despite millions of dollars already spent on the project.
“Groups along the coast of Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf are taking a stand for the future health of the marine life.
“They are seeking answers to how we put a price on the world-class marine ecosystems of our Gulfs.
“Are our Gulfs worth more than $1.8 billion, the cost of the desalination plant?”
Alternatives to desalination
If the plant does not operate how will we manage?
The desalinated water is not required for current needs — water can still be sourced from other places.
We are told the desalinated water is required to support an increase in Adelaide’s population by half a million over the next twenty years.
Most people do not agree about this rapid population increase but have not had a chance to say anything about it.
Please take thirty minutes of your time each week to attend a vigil on a coastal point nearby, or set one up in your local area.
A pack of materials is available to show you how to run a vigil against this threat to the marine environment.
Repetitive actions, persistence and commitment will actively contribute to stopping the desalination effects on our Gulfs, so join with others to declare your concern.
When asked about the amount of money already spent and workers jobs at the Desalination Plant, Ruth said “The project can be converted into the world’s best ocean research facility, which means construction would change, but workers would keep their jobs.
“South Australia would be thanked by the whole world for such a brilliant move in the conservation of our unique marine species and ocean plant life.”
Want more details?
Save Our Gulfs Embassy
Semaphore Information & Eco Centre
Masonic Building, 64a Semaphore Road, Semaphore
Save Our Gulf contacts:
Ruth Trigg
Email Ruth Trigg
(0) 8558 3371 • 0437 456 489
Corrie Vanderhoek
Email Corrie Vanderhoek
0439 865 058
Supported by the Save Our Gulf Coalition (SOGC) and the Water Action Coalition
Photo of Port Stanvac desalination plant from: www.woodhead.com.au
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