State government pledges millions to combat toxic algal bloom
The South Australian government has pledged $14 million to combat the toxic algal bloom devastating the state's coast, matching the federal government's own contribution announced yesterday.
A significant portion of the state funds will be directed towards enhanced monitoring efforts, using sensors and satellite imagery to track the movement of the algae.
A testing laboratory will also be established, ending the need to send samples overseas for analysis.
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The South Australian government has pledged $14 million to combat the toxic algal bloom devastating the state's coast, matching the federal government's own contribution announced yesterday. 9News
"We have to prepare for the possibility this could be with us for some time to come and that's what my Government is doing," Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
Prioritising the health of fish stocks, $3 million has been earmarked to investigate the underwater impacts of the blooms.
Community support and beach clean-up initiatives will also receive a boost, alongside the provision of $10,000 small business grants.
But the federal government is refusing requests to declare the algal bloom a natural disaster, prompting calls for a top-level inquiry in Canberra.
"If we had dead dolphins washing up on Bondi Beach, do you think the prime minister would be saying 'oh but the criteria doesn't fit'?" federal Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
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Community support and beach clean-up initiatives will also receive a boost, alongside the provision of $10,000 small business grants. 9News
Malinauskas refused to label his government's funding a "one off" payment like Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt, saying South Australia was preparing a summer plan if the crisis continues.
He also defended criticism that the funding should have come sooner.
"Well I'm not too sure who's making that criticism, apart from the opposition," he said.
Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia has labelled that "absolute nonsense".
"You could talk to anyone in the tourism, hospitality, and fishing sector who have been calling for relief for months," he said.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
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