About 650 people have signed an online petition against the development of the Point Lowly Peninsula and joined the associated Facebook group, set up earlier this month by Whyalla local, Lauren Pearce.

The signatures and comments on the Facebook group will be sent to the State Government, along with a short documentary on the area which is a key recreational location for Whyalla residents.

“There are 414 people in the Facebook group, including people from Melbourne, Adelaide, everywhere,” Lauren said.

“People are still emailing the petition around and every day there’s a few more signatures on there.”

Lauren said that there would be more people on the Facebook group if it was open to everyone, but at present it is in the ‘Australia’ network so members have to be part of that network to join.

A desalination plant, deep water industrial port, a new harbour for the aquaculture industry and a fuel refinery are all proposed for the Point Lowly Peninsula.

“The proposed jetty will go through the Australian giant cuttlefish aggregation area, threatening this unique species,” the petition states.

“People come from all over the world to view this spectacular event.

“Copper concentrate has been flagged as being exported from this jetty.

“Copper concentrate is highly dangerous to marine life.”

The petition also lists the threat to one of the ‘best beaches in the area for 100km’ and the closing in of shack owners and permanent residents by industry as a concern.

The petition can be found at http://www.

ipetitions.com/petition/

lowly_matters.