A new statewide hotline to support South Australians through the ongoing algal bloom crisis goes live today.
The free 1800 774 779 service will give people a single point of access for information, advice and reporting related to the bloom.
Callers to the hotline can:
- Seek general information about the algal bloom.
- Ask questions about industry support, including how to apply for business grants.
- Get the latest health advice, including access to mental health services.
- Report fish kills or dead sharks.
- Report sick or dead wildlife, such as marine mammals.
The hotline will operate 9am to 5pm, seven days a week, with urgent calls about dead wildlife or mental health answered 24/7 with language translation services available.
The hotline has been established as part of the joint algal bloom response by the South Australian Government and Federal Government and complements the existing dedicated State Government website algalbloom.sa.gov.au,
Premier Peter Malinauskas says the hotline is part of the state’s commitment to provide “accurate information about the algal bloom” and better support for communities and businesses. “We know people will continue to have questions about the bloom, especially over summer,” he said.
Despite the move, the Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia is critical of the Government’s response, saying they are still yet to deliver a promised summer plan.
“The Premier and his Government have been saying for weeks that they will release their summer plan in October. Well, it’s October — where’s the plan?,” he asked in a statement yesterday.
