Sarah Herrmann, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
Yorke Peninsula businesses are calling for financial support from the state and federal governments, while also encouraging tourists to still visit the region, amid the ongoing harmful algal bloom.
This was the sentiment shared by a crowd of almost 100 business owners and members of the public who gathered at a meeting organised by Port Vincent Progress Association on July 15.
Federal Member for Grey Tom Venning, Yorke Peninsula Council economic development and business sustainability manager Nick Perry, and an adviser to state Opposition spokesperson for regional SA and primary industries Nicola Centofanti took part to hear how the bloom was affecting the region.
“We want to strongly advocate on behalf of our communities who are affected,” Mr Perry said.
“If there is some money coming, we want to be first on the list.
“With the bloom spreading to other parts of the state and ending up in metro waters, they (metropolitan communities) could get all the benefits when we’re the first and worst affected.”
Mr Perry said YPC’s website was linked to State Government official resources to keep information streamlined and up to date as the situation evolved.
“In the meantime, we’re trying to promote to people that Yorke Peninsula is still a wonderful place to visit and spend tourism dollars despite what’s happening,” he said.
“We’re trying to strike the balance between saying ‘we need help, things are a bit dire’ versus ‘still come here though, it’s still a great place to visit whether you get in the water or not’.”
YPC is offering reduced booking fees at its six council-operated caravan parks and camping grounds and is promoting upcoming events like Grounded YP Art Festival (August 16-23), the Vietnam Veterans Walk official opening and concert in Edithburgh (August 18), and gaming convention YorKON in Maitland (October 10-11).
The council is also putting together programs of non-water activities on YP, individualised to each major township and to be released soon, in addition to the existing list at yorke.sa.gov.au/discover/things-to-do.
Mr Venning reiterated the federal Opposition’s call for a royal commission into the bloom.
“I think that is important because this could be around for four to five years and we don’t know, the science is not there,” he said.
“Local waters are (under) state legislation but the feds do have money to support those sorts of things.
“From a federal point of view, as fishers, you do not have access to the Farm Household Allowance Scheme (which supports farmers experiencing financial hardship) — I think that is an oversight and something that we need to support.”
Mr Venning said federal shadow fisheries minister Ross Cadell would visit SYP on Friday, July 18.
Mr Perry said YPC would send a letter with the anecdotes shared at the public meeting to key decision-makers.
The council is also hosting a public information session with marine ecologist Faith Coleman at Minlaton Town Hall on Thursday, July 24 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
The session is free to attend, but registration is essential at events.humanitix.com/yorke-peninsula-algal-bloom-information-session.
Community members are also encouraged to share their experiences of the bloom with YPC by emailing admin@yorke.sa.gov.au.
For algal bloom advice, visit environment.sa.gov.au/news-hub/news/articles/2025/07/sa-harmful-algal-bloom-update.
See further stories in the issue
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 22 July 2025.
Related stories: Feds fly in with $14m; Fishers’ plea for lifeline; Tourism blues as bloom remains, spreads; ‘Our worst fears’: oyster farms remain closed; Algae concerns close oyster farms, No heads up: Locals say toxic microalgae advice was too slow; Suspected microalgae bloom kills SYP sea life
