The Barngarla people have slammed the approval of Billy Lights Point for a $330 million desalination plant, citing the absence of a comprehensive Aboriginal heritage survey.  

The plant, located at the entrance to Porter Bay near Port Lincoln, is set to proceed despite significant community opposition. Construction is scheduled to begin in March, with operations expected by mid-2026.  

But the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation (BDAC) has condemned the South Australian Government’s decision, saying the site holds critical cultural and ecological significance. 

The area contains historical fish traps, described by BDAC as “one of the last surviving pieces of our heritage around Port Lincoln”. 

The group accused SA Water of “reckless indifference” for failing to consult traditional owners or conduct a full heritage survey.  

SA Water has reportedly acknowledged the absence of a comprehensive survey but claimed the project was designed to minimise heritage and environmental impacts. The agency says archaeologists inspected parts of the site in 2021 without traditional owners present.  

The desalination plant is considered essential as the Eyre Peninsula faces dangerously low underground water levels, placing about 28,000 users at risk.  

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