Letter to the Editor: Ian Harvey admires the desalination fight but recalls Port Lincoln’s situation

In reply to Tony Harrison’s story (Albany environmentalist urges Water Corp to recycle brine, Albany Advertiser, September 11) I would say best of luck to you Tony but I believe the decision has probably already been made.

The public sector is a “power of one” and very hard to toss.

As a new old resident relocating back to Albany from Port Lincoln where I have spent the last 19 years, I would suggest you access the story of Port Lincoln and their desalination fight that went on for five plus years.

With the largest fishing industry in Australia and the fishing fleet owners going back over a span of 50 years, their incredible knowledge of the sea and Boston Bay is part of nature.

When you have scientists and PIRSA coming in with their knowledge — some is probably questionable, supporting South Australia Water — when the local population is against where it should be installed, with the run-off going in to Boston Bay, a pristine area and larger than Sydney Harbour.

Yet SA Water was always going to put the plant there anyhow regardless.

To the decision-makers, if it goes wrong, they are not going to lose their jobs or money, only the fishing industry and all the offshoot businesses involved, plus the taxpayer.

There were other choices but out of town which makes it awkward for our city cousins who would like a half-hour flight to Lincoln to spend some free time staying in a top hotel.

Ian Harvey, Albany

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