The Eyre Peninsula Environmental Protection Alliance (EPEPA) remains concerned about environmental, social and economic impacts of the planned rocket launching facility at Whalers Way.
The front page article (‘Nearing to launch’ Port Lincoln Times, July 10) reported on information provided by Southern Launch at the recent so-called stakeholder sessions.
These sessions in early July were not open. Rather, interested community members were required to request an invitation from Southern Launch.
A prepared presentation was delivered, and no views or questions were sought.
Southern Launch presented largely regarding their ‘hopes’ for the development, as opposed to reliable, concrete information and details about what is planned.
Exploration of some issues raised is sorely needed.
CEO Lloyd Damp mentioned “a couple of other variables” that must be addressed before work can commence at Whalers Way.
Notably, Mr Damp spoke of state and federal government approvals for the project, but he did not divulge or address the many conditions that must be met before project commencement.
These approvals are provisional, meaning that significant other consultations, operational and construction plans, and Native Vegetation Council approval have yet to be finalised.
If these matters are not completed, there are no approvals, and no work can proceed at the site.
He also did not mention that there is a long-standing heritage agreement on the site, which exists to protect the ecological values of the site, forever.
EPEPA’s concerns include questions about possible costs to the community related to road infrastructure upgrades and maintenance, traffic management, fire management, waste minimisation and disposal, and managing public safety during launches.
Importantly, there is no indication that any financial guarantee or security is in place should the project or business fail or cease.
Who would then bear the cost of the eventual clean-up of the site? There is a risk of it becoming degraded and derelict.
Further, it remains unclear what water allocation will be provided to the project, what will be the impacts on local tourism and our ‘clean/green’ marketing image, if the public will be denied access or evacuated from nearby areas and properties on launch days, and what insurance against risk or damage to people or property is in place.
Mr Damp speaks of having conducted public consultations and of the intention to establish a project reference group.
It is entirely unclear how these consultations will be conducted, and how the reference group will be formed.
There are very few details and reliable assurances to date.
EPEPA is very keen to see just how the community will be engaged, consulted and informed on an ongoing basis.
There is so much to lose should this project go wrong.
Therese Pedler, EPEPA chairperson
Different thinking required
With South Australian debt at $48 billion and the national debt over a trillion, it’s time our governments look at better policies instead of screwing the taxpayer all the time.
In 1971 former Liberal prime minister Bill McMahon started using non-inflationary money from the Reserve Bank to pay off debt and finance other things. That was a long time ago.
Why can’t other politicians do the same today?
Non-inflationary could be used to pay off debt, finance public works, reduce the cost of living, for example, power prices.
It’s time some people started thinking outside the square. Who wants to be a slave all their life?
Tom Dolling, Port Lincoln
Nuclear proliferation
The US and UK were in a race to develop nuclear weapons before the Germans (Heavy Water), and the Japanese also had some research.
Japan consecrated to biological weapons at Unit 731 Manchuria and vivisection plus on POWs and civilians.
Japan’s list of war crimes include the Rape of Nanking 1937 (est. 100,000 to 200,000), Burma Railway, Borneo Death March, the Philippines and not forgetting 343 missionaries in New Guinea, and anywhere they ran amok – both civilians and military.
President Truman had a difficult problem: blockade Japan and starve them, invade Japan with very significant military casualties or Nuclear bombs.
In the meantime both POWs and allied civilians continued to suffer.
Australian forces were in Borneo, a sideshow suffering casualties.
If selected with other imperial forces to invade Japan the Australian casualties would have been significant and seriously affected our post-WWII recovery.
Regrettably, nuclear weapons were developed and now they are spread to some very noxious regimes – Russia, China, North Korea, possibly Iran.
Their tests in Australia both harmed our environment and military, civilians and including indigenous. Maralinga won’t be forgotten!
America might be a mess under Trump but it’s a democracy and a “friend”.
Our relationship is important, but not as a sycophant.
We have come a long way since “all the way with LBJ”.
We need a strong defence force backed up by industry and be self-sufficient – unfortunately none of which we have after years of incompetent governments of both persuasion.
Peter Lock, Port Lincoln
Common sense required
Far too often, we take the simple things in our lives for granted and accept them without question or concern until something threatens their existence or availability.
Such is the case with accessing and gaining cash in our daily lives, whether it be from banks, ATMs or retail outlets as we go about making our necessary purchases and transactions.
I recently became aware that Armaguard, the business that has been responsible for collecting and distributing cash to urban and rural locations throughout Australia, is in danger of going broke.
If this essential service were to cease, the availability of cash could be non-existent, and the likelihood of a cashless society, desired strongly by some, would no longer be a probability, but a reality.
Cash is important as it ensures your privacy, is secure, is fast, doesn’t require technology, ensures your freedom and autonomy, and cannot be hacked by unscrupulous individuals or corporations.
I strongly urge our federal government or our banks, that if a suitable buyer cannot be found for this vital service, they step up and take responsibility for continuing the operation of cash distribution.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
