Application assessment process
Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) science-based risk assessment
Applications for new licences will have a comprehensive Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) science-based risk assessment, legislated public consultation and referrals to government agencies.
PIRSA’s ESD risk assessment of the applications was based on a National ESD Framework underpinned by the Australian and New Zealand standard for risk management (AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018). During each of the assessments, 20 risk events were identified as relevant to the applications covering site and regional scales which were assessed using likelihood and consequence risk matrices. Results identified any required mitigation measures (e.g. additional licence conditions).
Oceanographic modelling
To inform the assessment of the applications, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) did oceanographic modelling to demonstrate the spatial footprint of aquaculture-related nutrients and other derived organic matter in the Upper Spencer Gulf based on the most recent scientific data and information. This was done to understand the direction of nutrient plumes, the concentration of the plumes and if approved where to place monitoring sample sites for the ongoing environmental monitoring programs that would be required.
The modelling studies demonstrated the nutrient levels are expected to remain well below the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) 2000 water quality guideline trigger values both within and outside the zone. For nutrient levels above those trigger values, environmental monitoring programs must be implemented to monitor and manage any impacts.
The modelling also demonstrated strong tidal flows of more than 0.6 meters per second in the vicinity of the aquaculture zone which together with other hydrodynamic variables quickly disperse nutrients from the finfish farms. Nutrients are dispersed over distances of 5-10 km predominately to the north, after which they fall within background levels and are quickly assimilated into the ecosystem contributing to the local food web. Due to seasonal feeding regimes and kingfish growth, nutrient inputs are at their lowest between June to October, which includes the period when the Giant Australian Cuttlefish are aggregating.
Based on regional circulation patterns, the SARDI oceanographic modelling demonstrated a negligible to minimal overlap of aquaculture derived nutrient to the west and south of Point Lowly (where the Giant Australian Cuttlefish (GAC) largely aggregate).
ESD risk assessment
At the time the original ESD risk assessments were undertaken (2018 and 2019), scientific advice from SARDI on the intensity and direction of finfish nutrient plumes based on oceanographic modelling and previous SARDI research on the feeding behaviour of escaped kingfish suggested there was no concern in regard to impacts to the GAC. Therefore, no further risk assessment was undertaken for GAC and thus not included in the original ESD risk assessment.
However, due to the recent increase in concerns from the public and the Conservation Council SA, and the availability of new scientific information, PIRSA have reviewed and updated the risk events in the ESD relating to Escape and Listed Migratory and Threatened Species with respect to GAC to include the most recent information and science available. After consideration of available data, both risks were considered to be low.
See the following ESD risk assessments:
- ESD risk assessment for AQ00397 and movement of 6 finfish sites
( ) - ESD risk assessment for AQ00396 and movement of AQ00140 ( )
- Updated Fitzgerald Bay ESD information
( ).
Consultation
To ensure PIRSA’s aquaculture lease and licence application assessment process was transparent and considered other stakeholder views, PIRSA undertook a targeted consultation on 4 July 2018, in which 24 stakeholder groups were consulted, including the Whyalla City Council and the Conservation Council SA.
In addition, there is a legislated requirement under the Aquaculture Act 2001 to advertise an application for a new aquaculture licence in a newspaper circulating generally in the state or on the PIRSA webpage. On 30 August 2018, the applications for the new aquaculture sites were publicly advertised in The Advertiser and the Whyalla News, inviting comment from the general public.
Legislated referrals of an application are made to other South Australian government agencies for their approval (the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA)). Further, formal notice is given to any relevant native title bodies and claimants through their representative.
The applications for aquaculture licences were referred to the EPA for approval to ensure the proposal met the objectives of the Environment Protection Act 1993 and associated Environment Protection Policies. Environmental issues of interest to the EPA include protection of water quality, management of noise and air quality, solid waste management and disposal, storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances and ecological impacts from pollution. The EPA provided approval for the applications based on an appropriate environmental monitoring program which was subsequently developed.
Approvals
The application for a new 50-hectare site (AQ00397) in the Western Fitzgerald sector of the Fitzgerald Bay aquaculture zone was approved 2 July 2019. An application to amalgate the 7 existing licences was approved in December 2019.
The application for a new 73-hectare site (AQ00396) in the Eastern Fitzgerald sector of the Fitzgerald Bay aquaculture zone was approved 19 June 2020.
You can find more detail about these licences on the aquaculture public register.
Note difficulties in obtaining access to the Point Lowly marina have delayed farming activities since the licences were approved. However, on 31 May 2021, the Whyalla City Council resolved to grant Clean Seas three-year access to the Point Lowly Marina to facilitate their finfish farming activities in Fitzgerald Bay. The Council has negotiated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Clean Seas that outlines strict controls, as well as expectations of consultation, compromise and engagement with Council and the community on an ongoing basis. As part of the MOU, Clean Seas will be required to undertake remedial work identified in an independent assessment report of the existing marina facilities at their own cost and prior to commencing operations. This will provide an improved facility for all users of the marina.