The south coast community will demonstrate its concern for the state of local waters, affected by algal bloom, in a gathering on Saturday 24 May.

Cedric Varcoe and Aunty Angelena Harradine Buckskin will lead a healing journey from Victor Harbor to Goolwa, helping connect everyone to land and sea Country. 

Organised by The Wild South and Rising Tide Adelaide, the journey starts at Warland Reserve in Victor Harbor at 9am and finishes at Amelia Park in Goolwa from 1pm for a community barbecue and open mic session.

Participants are encouraged to walk, ride or drive the full walk, or just travel a section of it. 

Karenia mikimotoi algal bloom has been affecting waters around Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu since mid-March, most likely due to an ongoing marine heatwave.

It has caused significant marine life deaths and triggered health symptoms such as skin, eye or throat irritation, particularly after exposure to discoloured or foamy water or sea spray. SA Health has advised people to avoid contact with discoloured, foamy or smelly water.

Alexandrina, Kangaroo Island and Victor Harbor councils attended a state government briefing on Thursday 15 May, convened by Environment Minister Susan Close, with representatives from the Environment Protection Authority, Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), SA Health, PIRSA and the Department for Environment and Water. 

Little new information came from the briefing and the bloom is expected to persist until cooler weather and strong cold fronts assist with its dispersal. BOM modelling currently indicates no change is likely until mid-June.

Full event details and how to get involved with the Walk for Water can be found on the Facebook event page.