In recognition of National Threatened Species Day, the SA Greens have introduced a motion renewing their call for the Malinauskas Government to protect the Whalers Way Sanctuary against the environmental impacts of a rocket-launch facility built there.
Nestled within the sanctuary as Whalers Way lies the endangered Southern Emu-Wren, as well as the magnificent Southern Right Whales who rely on these serene waters as an important nursery.
Conservation advocates, including the Eyre Peninsula Environmental Protection Alliance and Nature Conservation Society of South Australia have repeatedly raised concerns about how approval was granted for a rocket launch facility in such a sensitive area.
Quotes attributable to Tammy Franks MLC:
“These species, and the dozens of other endangered species that call Whalers Way home, must be protected from the environmental impacts of the rocket launch facility.”
“We don’t have any definition or mention of rocket launch facilities in any of our planning and environmental laws and regulations. Do we really want the precedent for space industry development in our State to be defined by environmental destruction?”
“According to Southern Launch's own environmental impact statement, the southern emu-wren may well be significantly impacted by habitat loss, fauna mortality from vehicle strike, and indirect impacts that may lead to behavioural changes from noise and light. Put simply, Whalers Way is the wrong place for space. It is an industry that is experimental by its very nature and fraught with danger to this species.”