Elder likens algal bloom devastation to watching Uluru being destroyed

Australia Broadcast Center

6 hours ago

A First Nations elder has likened the devastation of South Australia's toxic algal bloom to watching Uluru being destroyed, as both the federal environment minister and opposition leader visit the state.
Ngarrindjeri elder Mark Koolmatrie runs Indigenous cultural tours in the Fleurieu Peninsula and told ABC News Breakfast the algal bloom was having a huge impact on his business.
But what has been most distressing for Mr Koolmatrie is seeing the death of countless sea life that has a huge significance to Indigenous culture.
"We have a responsibility to look after the things that belong to the south coast — now, when they are sick, so are we," he said.
"It would be something like Uluru being destroyed right in front of our eyes, and we can do nothing about it.
"This is the devastating effect, and it's probably taken too long for action."
Earlier today, authorities removed a dead dolphin that had washed up onto the shore at Henley Beach.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt is in South Australia today to announce the government will fast-track an assessment to investigate whether any local flora and fauna need to be added to the threatened species list as a result of the bloom.
Mr Watt said more than 400 species of marine life had been impacted so far, from animals through to plant life.
"If the Threatened Species [Committee] does consider that particular species are now vulnerable or threatened or critically endangered, then that would then trigger a range of responses from government in the form of conservation plans and things like that," Mr Watt told ABC News Breakfast.
Mr Watt said to his knowledge, the last time a federal minister had asked the Threatened Species Committee to consider the ecological impacts from a particular event was the Black Summer Bushfires.
Last month, the federal and state governments announced a $28 million package to assist in a range of areas, including science and research to boost resilience and planning, industry support and clean-up efforts.
Mr Watt has faced pressure from the South Australian community for not acting sooner and has been urged to declare the algal bloom a natural disaster.
On Monday, Mr Watt apologised to those who felt the government was too slow to respond.
Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is also in South Australia today, visiting coastline affected by the algal bloom.
Ms Ley said the government's response to the algal bloom had been "woefully inadequate" and urged the government to respond ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to the state next week.
"This is a natural disaster and it is a national disaster," she said.
"Actually deliver the support now if you know it's coming and help ease the pressure, including the real financial pressure, that these communities are facing."
When asked about the fact climate change could be a contributing factor to the algal bloom, Ms Ley agreed — despite the Coalition campaigning against Australia's climate targets.
"Of course climate change plays a role, as it does in much of what we see on the landscape," she said.
Mr Koolmatrie also urged the government to take stronger action and to work with the Indigenous community to find solutions to protect marine life.
"Science and Indigenous values can work together side by side," he said.
"Sometimes, they've got to work in silos and indifferently, but together, we should be able to come up with an idea."
Premier Peter Malinauskas told ABC Radio Adelaide the state government was preparing for the bloom to last through to summer.
He welcomed Mr Watt's announcement but called for more financial support from the federal government.
"We as a government have made it clear that we're, you know, preparing for the worst and hoping for the best," he said.
"If you do work under the assumption that it will be around in spring and summer, there will be a call on more Commonwealth resources.
"We're in the process of developing a rather comprehensive summer plan."