1800 BLOOM: New hotline launched amid calls for summer plan
Fears hotter summer temperatures will exacerbate the impacts of the algal bloom devastating South Australian beaches are prompting calls for an immediate action plan – as the government launches a bloom hotline. Read the latest bloom update.
As the State Opposition calls for a summer plan to deal with the algal bloom devastating South Australian beaches, the government has launched a new phone hotline.
The new algal bloom phone hotline opens on Friday so South Australians can get “accurate, timely and consistent information about the algal bloom affecting parts of South Australia”.
It was announced during the latest algal bloom update with Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt, Premier Peter Malinauskas and newly minted state Environment Minister Lucy Hood.
SARDI executive director Professor Mike Steer said the bloom was “still persisting in the areas predominantly around the metropolitan coastline”.
He said the most high-density area of the bloom was from the northern Gulf of St Vincent down to Brighton.
There was no bloom present in areas around the Northern Spencer Gulf – home to the giant cuttlefish.
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Steer said there were now 94 coastal sites being regularly monitored by SARDI, and there were “still promising trends of the brevetoxin levels going down in parts of York Peninsula”.
Watt said the hotline would be “key in helping local communities get the information they need”.
The free 1800 774 779 hotline would make it easier for people to connect with existing algal bloom support services through a single contact point, the state government said.
Callers to the hotline will be able to make selections to:
- Seek general information about the algal bloom.
- Ask questions about industry support, including how to apply for business grants.
- Get the latest health advice, including access to mental health services.
- Report fish kills or dead sharks.
- Report sick or dead wildlife, such as marine mammals.
Hotline operators will also be available to answer frequently asked questions about the algal bloom, including that it is safe to visit the beach and that all commercially available seafood from South Australian waters is safe to eat.
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The hotline will operate seven days a week, including on public holidays, from 9am to 5pm.
Leaders ssaid calls related to mental health support, as well as at risk or dead fish or wildlife, would be answered around the clock, and language translations were available.
Premier Malinauskas said the government was committed to providing accurate information and the hotline would keep the community informed.
“We know some people will continue to have questions about the bloom, especially if it continues to affect parts of our coastline over summer,” he said.
“This hotline, along with the State Government’s dedicated algal bloom website and our program of community forums, will continue to ensure people have access to information they can trust.”
It comes as the state opposition calls for a “much-anticipated” summer plan for dealing with the algal bloom crisis to be released.
Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia said South Australians were already “turning their minds to end of year holidays and beach activities”.
“It’s impossible for them to plan ahead without clear health advice or contingencies for beach closures,” Tarzia said.
“The government’s handling of the crisis from day one has been flat footed and lacklustre.
“Let’s not forget it took the bloom turning into a PR crisis while the Premier was on holiday for the government to take real action against an environmental disaster that started months earlier.”
The Premier today said the state government was finalising its summer plan in conjunction with the Commonwealth, with the view of releasing it this month “which I’ve committed to repeatedly and remain very much on track to achieve”.
