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EES Under Scrutiny

The release of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Victorian Desalination Project has not changed Bass Coast Shire Council’s opposition to the proposed plant.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 27th August 2008 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said it was no surprise that the Government were saying there would be no long-term or irreversible damage to the environment.

"On initial inspection, the findings of the EES certainly do not appear to impede the Government’s decision to build a desalination plant," said Mr Bawden.

"We will be undertaking a detailed study of the report. The EES is a very large document, over 1,600 pages, and we have had a copy for less than 24 hours.

"Council will be looking closely at the report’s assessment of the impact on the local and marine environment," continued Mr Bawden.

"The assessment of the social and economic impact on our region is also of great interest to us."

Mr Bawden said the Bass Coast community were very concerned about these aspects of the project and it was important to ensure the findings are accurate.

"Council intend to make a detailed submission in response to the EES," confirmed Mr Bawden.

"We will be seeking expert advice on the technical reports and making sure that any aspect of the EES that doesn’t adequately address our concerns will be presented at the independent panel hearings that are part of the ongoing EES process."

Bass Coast Shire Council is calling on the community to get involved in the EES process.

"It is very important that community members make submissions," said Mr Bawden.

"We are also calling on members of the community who have expertise in any technical area covered by the EES to meet with Council and assist us with our assessment."

Council has called on the State Government to roll out a consultation program to assist the community to understand the EES and how to respond to it.

The EES report consists of five key components, as well as 11 volumes of technical reports. The structure of the report covers:

•  Marine structures
•  Desalination plant
•  Water transfer pipeline
•  Power supply
•  Whole of project assessment

"We will be looking closely at the report on the plant sizing, including the visual impact and architectural and landscape performance requirements, such as building height, vegetation buffers, lighting etc," said Mr Bawden.

"We will also be closely inspecting the section relating to the power supply for the plant.

"Council has already made it clear that any power supply option must have underground transmission lines for the entire route within Bass Coast.

"It appears that the only power supply option that has been fully assessed by the EES is based around the North to South grid connection, with 200KV overhead transmission lines.

"This means it is highly likely to be the option adopted by the company that wins the tender to build the plant, which is a major concern," said Mr Bawden.

Mr Bawden said Bass Coast’s initial concerns about the scope of the EES still remain.

"There were a number of things excluded from investigation which Council and the community still feel need to be addressed," said Mr Bawden.

"The State Government has never provided information to justify why desalination was chosen as a major part of the Government’s Water plan.

"There has also been no investigation into alternative sitings or technology for the desalination project."

A hard copy of the EES is on display at the Bass Coast Civic Centre, 76 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi.

Hard copies of the EES are also on display the Desalination Project Office in Wonthaggi. Office hours at the Project Office have been extended to five days a week during the exhibition period. Copies are also available on CD and on line at www.ourwater.vic.gov.au. Hard copies can be purchased from the DSE Desalination Project Team by phoning 1800 811 214 or 5671 3900, or by emailing desalination.project@dse.vic.gov.au.

Closing date for written submissions is 5pm on 30 September 2008.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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