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Lessons To Learn From Sydney Desalination

Bass Coast can learn a great deal about desalination from the experience of Sutherland Shire in Sydney.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 15th October 2007 - Back to News

That is the message from a recent visit to Sydney by council officers, councillors and representatives from the Your Water Your Say action group.

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said the Sydney trip was the first in a series of research trips that Council is undertaking.

"We can certainly learn from the experience in other parts of Australia and by studying desalination plants around the world," said Mr Bawden.

"The biggest difference for Bass Coast, is most of these other plants are located in industrial areas, whereas the plant proposed for Bass Coast is on rural land next to the coast.

"This week, another group will be visiting the Gold Coast, where a plant is currently under construction," Mr Bawden said.

"We are also sending a group to Western Australia to inspect the desalination plant operating over there.

Mr Bawden said the Sydney trip had been very successful.

"The meetings with Sydney Water and with Sutherland Shire Council were extremely worthwhile," said Mr Bawden.

"Sutherland Shire Council gave us a lot of information on the campaign they had run opposing the plant.

"Although that campaign wasn’t successful, they did get some important concessions from the government, in terms of the pipeline, construction of the plant and use of renewable energy," explained Mr Bawden.

"And the public pressure also forced the New South Wales Government into better consultation with the community.

The visit to Sydney included an inspection of the site in Kurnell. Although still in construction phase, there is a test pilot plant on the site.

"Representatives from Sydney Water were able to provide a lot of detail on the operation of the plant," said Mr Bawden.

"This included explanations on the intake and outlet structures, the amount of waste produced and ways to decrease the noise pollution from the plant.

"They also explained the process they had in place for dealing with any problems that might arise in terms of the environmental impact of the plant."

Mr Bawden said this information was vital if Council is going to be able to assess the potential impact of the site proposed for Bass Coast.

The group also met with Associate Professor Greg Leslie from the University of New South Wales, an expert on desalination.

"Professor Leslie said desalination could be part of a solution to water shortages, but it needs to be done correctly," said Mr Bawden.

"He had concerns about the size and location of the proposed plant and the distance the water had to travel back to Melbourne.

"He was also very concerned about the implications of having the plant run as a Public Private Partnership," continued Mr Bawden.

"All the meetings on this trip have certainly highlighted the issues we need the Government to provide clear answers on.

The trip to Western Australia to visit the operational plant near Perth is due to take place in early November.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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