Yorke Peninsula Council Ramps Up Algal Bloom Support
Abbie Tiller
Yorke Peninsula Council Offers Fee Relief and Fresh Push to Bring Visitors Back Amid Ongoing Algal Bloom
The Yorke Peninsula Council is stepping up its response to the region’s devastating algal bloom, rolling out a mix of financial relief measures and a lighthearted online marketing push to help businesses weather the storm.
Since the bloom first appeared off the peninsula’s coastline in April, it’s taken a heavy toll on coastal tourism, fishing, and related industries. Winter trade has dropped, bush camping bookings are below the five-year average, and concerns are growing about what the summer season will bring.
To help ease the pressure, Council has announced that professional boat ramp permit fees for commercial fishers and charter operators will be waived for the remainder of the financial year. Refunds will also be issued to those who’ve already paid.
Bush camping fees have also been reworked. Locals will be able to access a new flat $400 annual permit, while council staff will have the flexibility to offer 50 per cent discounts during quieter periods to entice more visitors. The changes are designed to encourage both locals and tourists to spend more time — and money — in the region.
Alongside the financial measures, Council has launched a video campaign titled It’s Not All Doom and Bloom, which racked up more than 18,000 views in its first day online.
Acting Mayor Richard Carruthers said the initiatives aim to keep the economy moving while the community rides out the bloom.
“These videos not only show the resilience and creativity of our local businesses but also remind everyone that there’s still so much to see, do, taste, and enjoy on the Yorke Peninsula. Even during challenging times, our community spirit shines through.”
The short clips, narrated by local business owners, showcase the peninsula’s scenery, food, and hospitality — reminding people that the Yorke Peninsula is still open for business.
Stansbury’s Dalrymple Hotel publican Rob Rankine, appears in the first promotion, driving home this message –
“Yorkes needs your support, and lucky for you there’s so much to discover and enjoy — from the coast to the country… spend a little, smile a lot, and remember, it’s not all doom and bloom.”
Stansbury’s Oyster Bay – as picturesque as ever.
Council will continue releasing new videos over the coming weeks, highlighting a wide range of local attractions and businesses in the hope of drawing more visitors back to the region.
While Council’s relief measures and marketing push are helping to entice visitors, the bloom’s impact on those who make their living directly from the sea is still severe.
For some, the closure of ocean operations has stretched well past 100 days, with no clear end in sight. Pacific Estate Oysters recently shared confronting before-and-after photos of their leases, showing how sea grasses killed off by the bloom have smothered their oyster beds.
“This is not the normal seasonal die-off we see each year,” they wrote. “In 19 years I’ve never seen anything like it… It’s very depressing.”
It’s a reminder that behind the positive spin of It’s Not All Doom and Bloom are real businesses facing enormous challenges.
