A recent decision by South Australia’s Native Vegetation Council to reject proposed amendments to a heritage agreement at the Whalers Way site on the Eyre Peninsula has been welcomed by conservation groups concerned about the impact of a planned orbital launch complex on endangered bird species.

The Whalers Way facility, located approximately 32 kilometers from Port Lincoln, had already secured federal and state approvals to operate a rocket launch site capable of handling up to 42 launches annually on 23 hectares of conservation land. However, the Native Vegetation Council’s refusal earlier this month to allow changes to a heritage covenant protecting the native habitat could effectively halt the space project.

The heritage agreement, a long-established covenant designed to safeguard native wildlife and vegetation on private land, covers key habitat for endangered bird species, including the Eyre Peninsula southern emu-wren, one of Australia’s smallest birds, and the mallee whipbird, of which 80% of the remaining population resides in the protected area.

Kate Millar, chief executive of BirdLife Australia, characterized the site as one of the state’s “most precious and important habitats” and warned that these bird species are “hanging on by a thread.” She emphasized the need for government, community, and businesses to prioritize habitat restoration efforts to prevent the extinction of these unique species.

“Since the project was proposed around eight years ago, it has faced significant opposition from conservationists and local groups who argue that the site is the “worst possible place” for a rocket launch facility,” Millar said. She described the council’s decision as a difficult but necessary step under the Native Vegetation Act, reflecting an understanding of the high environmental stakes involved.

The region’s ecosystems have faced ongoing challenges recently, including harmful algal blooms, the spread of H5 bird flu, and the looming threat of severe bushfire seasons. Millar cautioned that developing the launch complex in this sensitive location would further endanger species found nowhere else in the world.

Kirsty Bevan, chief executive of the Conservation Council of South Australia, urged the state government and Southern Launch, the commercial aerospace company behind the project, to respect the council’s assessment and explore alternative sites for the launch facility. “We commend the Native Vegetation Council for their diligence and for maintaining the integrity of protections that safeguard places like Whalers Way,” Bevan stated.

A spokesperson for the South Australian government confirmed that Southern Launch’s application to modify the heritage agreement had been declined but noted that the company could submit a revised proposal for reconsideration. Southern Launch has previously highlighted the site’s favorable conditions for rocket launches, citing its coastal position, stable weather patterns, and low levels of maritime and air traffic as key advantages.

The Australian Space Agency noted that several launch sites are currently operational across the country, including the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland and the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia, reflecting the growing development of Australia’s commercial space industry.