Federal funding announced to assist with SA’s algal bloom

The Albanese Government has announced a $14 million funding package to assist South Australia in tackling the severe algal bloom that is currently impacting that state’s coastal waters. The funding will help in bettering the state’s response capabilities and readiness for similar future environmental challenges.

The investment responds directly to an urgent request from the South Australian Government, and it will concentrate on four strategic areas. including science and research, business assistance, community awareness and support, and clean-up efforts.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt was in Adelaide yesterday to meet with the South Australian Government and inspect the current outbreak.

“The Albanese Government will continue to support the South Australian Government to address this extreme event," Minister Watt said.

“While the science has made clear that there is no quick fix for algal blooms, we are committed to supporting the South Australian community, industry and the environment."

“This funding is an important investment in working with the State Government on the heath and resilience of our oceans and coastal communities.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins said the Albanese Government is continuing to work closely with the South Australian Government to support fishers and aquaculture operators impacted by this devastating algal bloom.

“Immediate assistance is available to fishers and aquaculture operators experiencing financial hardship, including through the Rural Financial Counselling Service, which can provide free and confidential financial counselling."

“The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation has recently invested in a new project to isolate the culture of the particular algae species currently affecting South Australia to better understand the toxic effects, develop rapid early-warning and detection methods and examine the toxin threats to seafood production.”

Despite calls from the Greens party over the past weeks to declare this event a natural disaster Minister Watt did not do so and defended the decision saying that the  Commonwealth natural disaster framework as itcurrently exists does not consider an event like this to be a natural disaster.

He said that while "different people will have different descriptions of this event", the federal government was "not underplaying the significance".

"We have managed outside the usual natural disaster framework to marshal the type of resources that South Australia has asked for and we have now delivered," he said.