Group of South Australian mayors to meet with the Prime Minister to lobby for more support amid algal bloom crisis

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A group of South Australian mayors will meet with the Prime Minister in Canberra tomorrow to lobby for more funding and a national approach to the algal bloom crisis. Back home, authorities are investigating a possible link between the toxic bloom and sea foam that appeared on one of Adelaide's metropolitan beaches this morning.

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00:00The ocean churn at Henley Beach delivered unwanted foam along the foreshore around Dawn.

00:08I've never seen it this bad, ever.

00:11It's really depressing. Summer's going to be very sad.

00:13Yeah, not nice to see it the way it is. Yeah, hopefully it gets fixed up.

00:19Testing by the Primary Industries Department is underway to determine whether it's linked to the toxic bloom.

00:25That information will really inform us about what is the relationship with what we're seeing now and the harmful algal bloom.

00:34Authorities are providing reassurances that any potential health impacts from the foam would be minimal.

00:40We are hearing people complaining about itchy eyes and coughing, which is something that's consistent with what we've been seeing.

00:50As the bloom shows no sign of dissipating, several South Australian mayors are taking their concerns to Canberra.

00:57They'll meet with the Prime Minister and opposition leader.

01:00We are representing almost 800,000 South Australians who are concerned about this summer

01:06and about how the algal bloom is affecting not just South Australians and their lifestyle, but our economy as well.

01:12While stepping back from demanding the ongoing crisis to be declared a national emergency, the mayors now want a national framework.

01:20That would involve more funding for permanent monitoring of coastlines around the country and further support for businesses and councils.

01:27We need ongoing funding for monitoring. We need ongoing funding for restoration of our oceans.

01:32They must become more resilient and we need to be looking after the health and wellbeing of our communities.

01:38Communities preparing for a potentially different and difficult summer.

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