The area is currently zoned for industrial use, however Deputy Mayor Eddie Hughes, who is tabling a series of motions on the issue, says the environmental and recreational values of the area need to be protected.

There are a number of large industrial projects planned for the Peninsula, which is owned by the State Government.

A desalination plant, deep water port, fuel refinery and tank farm and a new harbour for the aquaculture industry are planned for the area.

A second fuel refinery is also in the works.

Whyalla local Bob Keil has spent some time distributing a pamphlet encouraging people to attend the meeting in the hope it will show the attending councillors that there is strong opposition to the developments within the Whyalla community.

“It’s important people show their interest,” he said.

“The time to oppose the developments is now.

“It’s an issue that needs to be out there and I think if we can get the community involved we will get the right decision.”

Mr Keil said he is confident there will be a strong showing by the community at the meeting.

“It may not change the end result but I know what I care about.

“It will show the State Government that the community is up in arms and means they might be a bit more careful about what they do out there.”

The eight motions Mr Hughes will table encompass a number of issues, such as encouraging OneSteel, the corporate sector and the State Government to work together to open up the OneSteel harbour to other bulk commodities operators, to amend zoning provisions of the Whyalla Development Plan, last amended in December 2007, to protect the environmental, social and recreational values of the area, to commit to diversifying Whyalla’s economic base independent of the mining sector, taking into account the significance of the cuttlefish aggregation.

One of the deputy mayor’s motions also asks council to offer in principle support for the proposed desalination plant pending the outcome of the Environmental Impact Statement.

Mr Hughes said the desalination plant was important to the region, given that it will supply the Upper Spencer Gulf with drinking water and that it may not be a realistic venture to oppose all the development proposed for the Peninsula.

According to Mr Hughes, part of the Peninsula could remain zoned for industrial use for BHP’s desalination plant.