Tensions have erupted between State and Opposition governments over the developments of regional infrastructure needed to support BHP Billiton’s proposed expansion of Olympic Dam.
Opposition leader Isobel Redmond met with more than 60 shack owners in Port Augusta at the weekend to discuss their concerns over the proposed development of an offloading facility in the Upper Spencer Gulf.
The landing facility will be used to deliver construction equipment and material by ship for transportation to Roxby Downs.
Residents voiced concerns over the environmental impact of the facility as well as a drop in property value since the facility’s proposal.
In addressing questions Ms Redmond reiterated concerns and opposition to using the Upper Spencer Gulf as part of BHP Billiton’s expansion.
“The Liberals were the first to say yes to the Olympic Dam expansion … we certainly want the Olympic Dam expansion to go ahead.
“We never said no ... that doesn’t mean they should just come in here and threaten the environment.
“Anyone can see just by looking at a map that putting this at the top of the Gulf just doesn’t make sense,” she said to a responsive crowd.
“I am not ever going to be pressured to believe that the cost of adding an extra 32 kilometres of pipeline doesn’t make sense, when they’re (BHP) going to be exporting millions out of this country,” she said in reiterating her ongoing will to see the Point Lowly desalination project redirected to the State’s West Coast.
While she offered no alternative proposal she said she would undertake further investigations into the project.
But in a developing war of words the visit has sparked criticism from the State Government.
Earlier this week Premier Mike Rann said Ms Redmond continued on her “one-woman mission to derail the world’s largest mine at Olympic Dam”.
Mr Rann said Ms Redmond seemed to be a “one woman wrecking ball” on all matters concerning the proposed expansion and said her attempts were putting jobs at risk.
“She is again putting into jeopardy an estimated 23,000 jobs to be created by the expanded mine and the huge economic development heading to the Upper Spencer Gulf including Port Augusta.
“This is the single largest project in the State’s history and Ms Redmond repeatedly demonstrates that she has no grasp of the huge economic importance of the mine to the State.”
Mr Rann further criticised Ms Redmond for admitting to the crowd that she did not always “trust BHP with what they tell me”.
“When it comes to trust you can’t trust Ms Redmond to deliver the biggest single mining project in South Australia’s history,” Mr Rann suggested.
But Ms Redmond denied the State Government claims that she promised to “block” the unloading facility at the Port Augusta meeting, and said she rather raised concerns about its proposed location.
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