Alternative Port Working Party

The Alternative Port Working Party is a community action group based in Whyalla, South Australia on the shore of northern Spencer Gulf. Its membership includes a number of retired engineers with experience in mining, shipping and bulk commodities handling and its chief spokesperson is Sid Wilson. Since its formation, the group has advocated for a 'best of both' scenario for the nearby Point Lowly peninsula; one which represents the interests of both the local economy and residential, recreational and tourist use of the peninsula. They believe that the chosen locations for proposed facilities in the Port Bonython and Point Lowly area present unacceptable compromises, and thus have recommended a number of alternatives.

Advocacy

The Alternative Port Working Party (APWP) began as an offshoot of another community action group called the Cuttlefish Coast Coalition, which sought to preserve the marine environment around Point Lowly.[1] Since its formation, the Alternative Port Working Party has focused their efforts on identifying alternative locations for a number of industrial proposals planned for what has been referred to by the Government of South Australia as the Port Bonython Minerals Precinct.

The APWP believes that a proposed iron ore export facility could be relocated 30 km south of Whyalla at Nonowie Station,[2][3] and has been advocating for this since at least February 2009.[4] The group also maintains that a diesel importation and distribution hub failed to consider implications for the marine environment[5] and could be relocated closer to Whyalla at a more appropriate site[6][7] and that a large scale reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant for the Olympic Dam mine could 'open the floodgates for the industrialization of Point Lowly.'[8]

The group is concerned that a loss in tourism visitation will adversely impact Whyalla's economy should industrialization plans proceed near Point Lowly, and that the area could be considered an emerging 'tourism hotspot'.[9]

The group has given public presentations, lobbied and written submissions to local and State government since at least 2009[10] and encouraged locals to respond formally to published Environmental Impact Statements.[11] As of 2014, the APWP continues to convey its views in local and statewide media.[12]

References
  1. Moscaritolo, Maria (2011-09-20). "Port plan is compromised: Engineers". The Advertiser. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  2. Opie, Rebecca (2013-05-22). "Working party says 'act now'". Whyalla News. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  3. Bilney, Kate (2012-10-24). "Point Lowly fight not over". Whyalla News. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  4. "Port group suggests Point Lowly alternative". ABC. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  5. Bilney, Kate (2014-08-07). "Diesel facility "start of the rot" for Point Lowly". Whyalla News. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  6. Butt, Graham K. (2014-09-09). "The editor, Other options for Lowly need to be considered". Whyalla News. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  7. "Worries aired over Port Bonython diesel import". ABC. 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  8. "Strict guidelines to protect environment from impact of Olympic Dam mine". News.com.au. 2011-10-11. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  9. Bilney, Kate (2012-03-14). "Tourist hot spot". Whyalla News. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  10. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 27 APRIL 2009 AT 5.30 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER (PDF). Whyalla City Council. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  11. Bruce, Kayleigh (2013-11-05). "APWP still fighting". Whyalla News. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  12. "Working party "plugging away" in search of better solution". Whyalla News. 2014-08-07. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
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