“That Affected Me a Lot”: Mother-of-Two, Who Found Solace in Surfing, Left Saddened After Popular Spot Proposed for Rocket Launches

The sport of surfing welcomes everyone who seeks solace in the infinity of the wave treasure. But what if the surfer’s haven poses restrictions to its pursuers? Well, an Australian surfing enthusiast who found her paradise at an elite surfing destination is rendered in anticipation that the construction of a new rocket launch site may affect the salvation that she found in the ocean.

Fishery Bay is one of the most picturesque beaches located 20 minutes away from Port Lincoln in South Australia. Famous for its turquoise water and mild weather, Fishery Bay is among the most beautiful surfing destinations in Australia. However, recently, an Australian space company, Southern, submitted the documentation to acquire the rights of building a permanent rocket launch facility. Nevertheless, an Aussie surfing fanatic, Nikki Honeychurch is worried that her safe haven will be taken away from her post the construction of the launching ground.

Surfer who found utopia at Fishery Bay is worried over new rocket launch plans

As per the report of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Nikki Honeychurch, a native of Port Lincoln found her tranquility at Fishery Bay. Interestingly, the Southern Australian ocean helped the mother of two to fight her drug addiction and depression triggered by a bushfire in 2005 and 2009. “Unfortunately I went through the 2005 and 2009 bushfires that swept through Eyre Peninsula so that affected me a lot”, added Ms. Honeychurch.

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More so, the Port Lincoln native was just 15 when the 2005 bushfire killed nine people and hence she went into depression. Therefore, to regain her composure back and give rest to her drug addiction, she found her embrace in the immensity of deep blue waves. She asserted, “I feel that’s really good for my mental health“. Giving her definition of surfing, the Australian said, “it’s a more healthy high. It’s just a good feeling and I just want to get better at surfing“.However, after hearing the news of the launch ground facility, Ms. Honeychurch got worried that the noise and the fire risks associated with the rocket launches will prohibit Fishery Bay’s public access.

However, Southern Launch chief executive officer, Lloyd Damp stated that the company abides by all the safety measures before going ahead with construction. He conceded, “the current plans for the site don’t encroach on Fisheries Bay and we’ll be working with state and federal government agencies to ensure that the public is not unduly affected by any future plans from the site”. Nevertheless, the inquiry committee is formed to test the environmental safety index of the project.

The Southern Launch project is currently under the lens of an inquiry committee

The South Australian Greens MLC, Tammy Franks called for a parliamentary inquiry upon the approvals granted to the space company for three failed test rocket launches in the last two years. More so, the Eyre Peninsula Environment Protection Alliance and lobbying also raised their concerns regarding the protection of the endangered bird species, ‘Southern Emu Wren’ found in that area.

Though the Space company filed for construction rights in Whalers way, the local surfers and beachgoers aren’t happy with the news. Moreover, surfing enthusiasts like Nikki Honeychurch who found their solace in Fishery Bay are not ready to leave their beloved surfing arena. While the construction access is still pending for the rocket launch company, the local organizations are also pinning for the protection of habitat in the area. What is your perspective on the new Southern Space launch project? Give us your thoughts in the comment section below.

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