Victorian Desalination Plant
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Template:Future building An AUD$3.1 billion desalination plant is to be built in the Wonthaggi region of the Bass Coast of Victoria, Australia by the end of 2011. The plant will supply water to Melbourne and surrounding districts.
Project
Melbourne's water storage dams currently sit at 30.1% capacity[1]. Many factors have contributed to this reduction, such as drought and reduced inflows. [2] In 2007 the Victorian Government released the next stage of the 'Our Water, Our Future' plan, designed to secure Victoria's water for the future.[3] The plan included the building of a sea water desalination plant. To manage with the shortage of water, the authorities have imposted bans on when and how piped drinking water can be used. [4] Such bans include a ban on washing cars with piped drinking water. With the completion of the desalination plant in 2011, those restrictions will be removed. [5]
The capital cost for the project has been estimated at AUD$3.1 billion in the initial feasibility study. Ongoing operating costs (labour, replacement of membranes, chemicals costs and energy) are estimated at AUD$132 million per annum (in 2007 dollars).[6] Unlike previous water infrastructure works in Melbourne, the plant will be built and operated as a public-private partnership, so factoring in profit, amortised funding, etc, water is likely to be delivered at around AUD$4000 per megalitre, for a total annual cost of AUD$600 million.[7]
The plant will provide 150 gigalitres of water per year to Melbourne and surrounding areas. It will make use of the reverse osmosis technology of desalination chosen in the feasibility study,[8] with the capability of being expanded to 200 gigalitres per annum. The plant will provide around a third of Melbourne’s yearly water use. This project represents the single biggest boost to Melbourne's water system since the approval of the Thomson Dam in 1975.
Construction of the plant is scheduled to commence in mid-2009.[9] The Planning Minister, Justin Madden, approved a planning scheme amendment for a pilot desalination plant on the 11 January 2008 (to come into effect on the 17 January).[10]
Location
The plant is to be built in the Wonthaggi region of the Bass Coast by the end of 2011. More specifically, it is to be built behind Williamsons Beach near Kilcunda.[11] Nine sites were included in the "long list" in the feasibility study. These were "short listed" to four (Surf Coast, East of Port Philip Bay, West of Western Port, and Bass Coast). Bass Coast was chosen as the premium location.[12] Compulsory acquisition notices were issued to the residents of the proposed desalination site on the 25th January 2008.[13]
Criticism
Many experts condemn the plant due to its high cost and impact on the environment. As announced on 28 December 2007, the project will be the subject of an Environment Effects Statement (EES).
The tender process used by the state government has been criticised for disregarding expert opinion and for pre-selecting desalination as the preferred outcome, even though the problem is lack of water, not lack of a desalination plant.[7] Other cheaper alternatives such as piping water from Tasmania's lake Margaret across the Bass Strait have seen less publicity.[14][15][16] Tasmania has substantial runoff from hydroelectric dams which currently flows out to sea unused.[17]
The community group Your Water Your Say is opposed to the proposal, taking legal action against the Victorian State Government regarding non-disclosure of financial information and lack of environmental studies and reports.[18] As of July 2008 the group lost that action, with the Federal Court able to award costs to the State Government estimated up to $200000, effectively sending the community group broke.[19] The government was highly criticised for the action which was also taken against the community group "Blue Wedges" representing those opposed to dredging in Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River.[citation needed]
Many protests have been held both at the site in Wonthaggi and in Melbourne on Spring Street, outside the State Parliment of Victoria.[20] In July 2008, around 50 people protesting near the desalination plant were removed from public land by police.[21]
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ OurWater.com.au background
- ^ [2]
- ^ ABC News article on 3a water restrictions
- ^ The Age article on removing water restrictions
- ^ Melbourne Water, June 2007, Seawater Desalination Plant Feasibility Study - Chapter 9a
- ^ a b Kenneth Davidson (2008-08-03). "Proper Process Would Reveal the Deception in Desal". The Age. www.theage.com.au. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
- ^ Melbourne Water, June 2007, Seawater Desalination Plant Feasibility Study - Executive Summary
- ^ Our Water, June 2007, Fast Facts – Desalination and energy
- ^ Bass Coast Shire Council, 15 January 2008, Desalination Pilot gets the go ahead
- ^ The Age Newspaper, February 4, 2008, In the eye of the storm
- ^ Melbourne Water, June 2007, Seawater Desalination Plant Feasibility Study - Executive Summary
- ^ Your water, your say, 25th January 2008, Compulsory acquisition notices
- ^ Water Week, 26 September 2007, Melbourne’s desalination: environmental vandalism and economic madness
- ^ The Age Newspaper, January 14, 2008, Protest over water plan
- ^ The Age Newspaper, March 3 2008, Tasmania could solve Victoria's water problem
- ^ The Age Newspaper, February 28 2008, Brumby sticks his head in the sand on water
- ^ "Action group loses legal challenge over desalination". ABC News. www.abc.net.au. May 16, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
- ^ "Opponents of Victorian desalination plant must pay costs". Herald Sun. www.news.com.au. June 13, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
- ^ "Desal opponents resume protest at Wonthaggi". ABC News. www.abc.net.au. July 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
- ^ "Protesters met by police at desal site in Wonthaggi". Herald Sun. www.news.com.au. July 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-19.