We are all familiar with Professor Mike Steer’s explanation for the cause of South Australia’s algal bloom: 1. Nutrient-rich River Murray water; 2. Nutrient-rich Southern Ocean water upwelling; and 3. Higher than average sea water temperature.
Let’s look at Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay: 1. Nutrient-rich Yarra River water; 2. Same nutrient-rich Southern Ocean water upwelling (Victoria is considerably south of SA); and 3. Same average sea water temperature.
Port Phillip Bay and Victoria have the same three components as SA but no algal bloom, why?
Wait a minute; Port Phillip Bay does not have a desalination plant discharging millions of litres of hyper saline water plus toxic cleaning chemicals into it, does it?
But Professor Steer insists that this has no influence on the cause of the algal bloom.
Do you believe him and Premier Malinouskas, because I don’t.
What’s of even more concern to me is that shortly Boston Bay will have a desalination plant discharge plus nutrient-rich SA Water plant discharge along with the Southern Ocean upwelling and the higher than average sea water temperature.
Boston Bay is a virtually landlocked body of sea water.
What do you think our chances of avoiding an algal bloom are?
If this happens it will destroy our fishing industry, our tourist industry, our city’s business and our lifestyle.
Are you worried? I certainly am.
Mick Bascombe, Port Lincoln
Hidden cost
Despite SA Water having successfully convinced a few parliamentarians of the need to build their controversial desalinisation plant at Billy Lights Point, other factors may come into play that will prove that it may not have been such a grand idea.
Apart from the ever threatening damage to the marine ecosystem, a much larger problem looms in the wings.
That is, the cost of power to produce the much-needed water boost for the area.
With the constant increases in power prices, that may rise beyond what would be deemed equable to the cost of production of desal water.
Should that happen the multi-million dollar plant will have to be mothballed, or the cost of water to consumers will have to rise dramatically to cover the extra cost.
Unfortunately, SA Water has not included in their plan any form of renewable energy.
Had the Sleaford site been utilised – the possibility of wind power (or solar) could have been a solution for that foolish oversight.
Any increase to the size of the plant or production levels would only compound the problem.
Dennis Lightfoot, Lock
Too many levels of government
Distinguishing between local, state and federal governments was once an easy task, with each having clearly defined functions and purposes, but today it is becoming virtually impossible.
Evidence clearly indicates that perhaps three tiers of government – local, state and federal – are no longer required, given their duplication of services, their questionable decisions and behaviours.
Tax and rate payers are regularly informed of a litany of contentious and deeply concerning activities: deficit budgets, program overspends, high wages and perks, misuse of government vehicles, lack of consultation, spiralling rates/taxes, inappropriate behaviour of elected members, flip-flop decision making, too much red tape and wasting time on trivial issues, at all three levels of government.
Once, local government’s main focus was ‘roads, rates and rubbish’, but we now see that they are involving themselves in matters well outside their area of responsibility (‘Pembo grills mayor over Rio’, The Advertiser, 18 November).
Common-sense decision-making and paying greater attention to important and pressing issues, rather than constantly involving themselves in matters that have little or no impact or benefit for local ratepayers, need to be given a much higher priority.
Either rid ourselves of one level of government, or enforce clearly defined functions and purposes for each of them to avoid unnecessary service duplication.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
Be aware of dangers
This week is National Asbestos Awareness Week 2025 and in the wake of the recent scare of asbestos being identified in children’s play sand, now more than ever, parents need to understand that with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) remaining in one-in-three Aussie homes, if these materials are not managed safely they can pose a significant health risk to families.
There’s no doubting Australia’s passion for renovating. We love the challenge! But what many don’t know is that they could be risking their lives and the lives of their loved ones if they fail to respect asbestos risks and ensure ACMs are managed safely.
It’s heartbreaking that around 4000 Australians die needlessly every year from avoidable asbestos-related diseases – that’s three times the national road toll.
With 51 per cent of current mesothelioma deaths directly linked to home renovations, the number of Australians who will lose their lives is predicted to rise if we don’t get serious about asbestos awareness and how to manage this potentially deadly material safely.
To protect ourselves and our families, it’s vital that we stop playing renovation roulette and start playing it safe by ensuring we understand the risks, know the sorts of ACMs to look for and what to do to ensure this silent ‘serial killer’ is managed safely.
What homeowners need to know is that asbestos wasn’t only used in the manufacture of flat and corrugated sheeting materials.
It was used in the manufacture of more than 3000 building and decorator products that remain lurking in one third of homes including brick, weatherboard, clad homes and apartments. It was used everywhere.
ACMs were commonly used in wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, but this potentially deadly fibre could be in places renovators might not expect.
It could be lurking under carpets, linoleum, vinyl and ceramic floor and wall tiles, external and internal walls, ceilings, eaves, roofs and fences.
Asbestos could be in any residential property, in any town or city across Australia if the home was built before 1990 and in any commercial property constructed before 2004.
Make no mistake, renovating, demolishing or maintaining properties that contain asbestos can be lethal if ACMs are disturbed and invisible asbestos fibres become airborne and are inhaled.
So before taking up tools, learn how to manage asbestos safely by visiting asbestosawareness.com.au to access a range of free information for tradies, rural and commercial property owners, and homeowners including checklists and the Asbestos in Homes: A Guide to Identification, Testing and Removal Video.
Visit asbestosawareness.com.au to learn how to identify, test and safely manage asbestos because it could save your life or the life of a loved one.
Remember, when it comes to asbestos, Don’t cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! Don’t dump it! And whatever you do… Don’t remove it yourself!
Only use licensed asbestos professionals because it’s not worth the risk.
Cherie Barber, National Asbestos Awareness ambassador
