Port Bonython may receive a facelift in the coming months, with the area looking set to house an export facility.
The Spencer Gulf Port Link Consortium, led by Flinders Ports, has been selected to undertake a feasibility study for the development and operation of the facility.
According to the minister for Infrastructure Patrick Conlon, the Consortium has four months to demonstrate that it can develop and operate the facility without any monetary contribution from the State Government as well as address and manage the social and environmental issues.
Following this time and if the study proves that such a facility is viable, the Consortium will then apply for all of the necessary approvals to develop the project. These applications will need to include a thorough environmental and social impact assessment with the opportunity for public comment before the project can proceed.
Conlon said the State Government expects the environmental impacts can and will be addressed to the satisfaction of the local community.
“The State Government is committed to ensuring the local community continues to have access to the beach and coastline,” Conlon said.
“The provision of infrastructure to support the mining sector is needed to attract continued investment to the resource sector in South Australia.
“Port Bonython has been identified by us and the mining industry as the most suitable location for a deep sea port.
“With up to 30 mines expected to come on stream over the next few decades, the mining industry has indicated that between seven and 13 million tonnes of ore could be exported through the new facility.”