Adelaide Beach Management Review

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:13): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries regarding fish mortalities at the SA Aquatic Sciences Centre.

Leave granted.

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO: The fish deaths emerged almost immediately after the dredging trial conducted under the Beach Management Review undertaken in close proximity to the water intake pipes servicing the facility. Yet, when questioned in this place on 4 February, the minister repeatedly insisted that there was no evidence to suggest any connection between the dredging activities and the mortalities observed at this site. In documents recovered under an FOI request, a minute to the minister, dated 18 February 2025, notes that:

SARDI contacted the Department for Environment and Water and the South Australian Environment Protection Authority immediately following the discovery of the mortalities and continues to meet regularly with representatives from these agencies regarding the investigation into mortalities. The most recent meeting occurred on 13 February 2025.

Noting that the dredging trial was conducted under the supervision of DEW and under the licence of the EPA, neither DEW nor the EPA has any role in managing the West Beach facility but were heavily involved in the management of the dredging trial. My question to the minister is: why was it necessary for SARDI to meet with DEW and the EPA, the parties responsible for the dredging trial, immediately following the discovery of the mortalities if dredging was not suspected to be the cause of the deaths, as she has previously informed this house?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:15): I thank the honourable member for her question. When there is any kind of, in this case, fish mortality, I would have thought it was exceptionally obvious that PIRSA would liaise with the EPA and with the Department for Environment and Water. It's called being thorough and robust. I do not understand how those opposite can somehow find yet another conspiracy in the fact that three government departments would be thorough and robust in investigating an occurrence such as the fish mortalities.