Victorian Desalination Plant: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Australia-Map-VIC-LGA-Bass Coast.png|thumb|250px|Bass Coast region of Victoria, indicated in yellow]] |
[[File:Australia-Map-VIC-LGA-Bass Coast.png|thumb|250px|Bass Coast region of Victoria, indicated in yellow]] |
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The proposed site is a few meters inland from the |
The proposed site is a few meters inland from the coastline, associated infrastructure would include tunnels connecting the plant to marine intake and discharge structures, an 85 kilometre pipeline to connect the plant to Melbourne's water supply system, and power supply infrastructure for the plant. The plant is intended to provide up to 150 [[gigalitre]]s of additional water per year to Melbourne, [[Geelong, Victoria|Geelong]], [[Western Port]] and [[South Gippsland]] with the potential to expand production to 200 gigalitres per year.<ref name="exec summary">{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/library/current_projects/water_supply/seawater_desalination_plant/feasibility_study/Desalination_plant_Feasibility_Study_Executive_Summary.pdf |
|url=http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/library/current_projects/water_supply/seawater_desalination_plant/feasibility_study/Desalination_plant_Feasibility_Study_Executive_Summary.pdf |
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|work=Melbourne Water |
|work=Melbourne Water |
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|date=June 2007 |
|date=June 2007 |
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|title=Seawater Desalination Plant Feasibility Study - Executive Summary}}</ref> |
|title=Seawater Desalination Plant Feasibility Study - Executive Summary}}</ref> This is despite the fact that Melbourne has plenty of water, overall storage levels have been around a third full even during one of the worst droughts in the region's history. |
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Water bills are expected to rise by 64% on average and residents are to be denied the right to choose if their water is sourced from desalination or rainwater. The desalinated water is intended to be transported by a pipeline to Cardinia Reservoir where it would mix with the rainwater catchment. The desalinated water will have a distinct odour and will taste different. |
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Since it's proposal, the project has been the subject of intense critisism by many groups, predominently from the [[Australian Greens]], Watershed Victoria and local residents. Regular rallies have been conducted on the site and in Melbourne since it's proposal and a community group was sent intentionally bankrupt by the Victorian Government after legal action was taken in ragards to initial water requirement figures, environmental effects reports and other issues. |
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==Context== |
==Context== |
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Revision as of 09:17, 2 August 2009
| Location | Wonthaggi, Victoria |
|---|---|
| Estimated Output | 410 megalitres per day |
| Extended Output | 550 megalitres per day |
| Cost (A$) | $3.5 billion |
| Energy Generation Offset | Windfarm at Glenthompson |
| Technology | Reverse Osmosis |
| Percent of Water Supply | 33% of Melbourne |
| Operation Date | 2011-2012 |
The Wonthaggi Desalination Plant (also referred to as the Victorian Desalination Project) is a proposed water desalination plant scheduled to be built on the Bass Coast near Wonthaggi, in southern Victoria, Australia by the end of 2011. The plant will supply water to Melbourne and surrounding districts.[1]
The desalination plant was annouced as part of the Victorian Government's "Our Water, Our Future" "water plan", other major projects included in the plan include the North-South Pipeline.[2]
The proposed site is a few meters inland from the coastline, associated infrastructure would include tunnels connecting the plant to marine intake and discharge structures, an 85 kilometre pipeline to connect the plant to Melbourne's water supply system, and power supply infrastructure for the plant. The plant is intended to provide up to 150 gigalitres of additional water per year to Melbourne, Geelong, Western Port and South Gippsland with the potential to expand production to 200 gigalitres per year.[3] This is despite the fact that Melbourne has plenty of water, overall storage levels have been around a third full even during one of the worst droughts in the region's history.
Water bills are expected to rise by 64% on average and residents are to be denied the right to choose if their water is sourced from desalination or rainwater. The desalinated water is intended to be transported by a pipeline to Cardinia Reservoir where it would mix with the rainwater catchment. The desalinated water will have a distinct odour and will taste different.
Since it's proposal, the project has been the subject of intense critisism by many groups, predominently from the Australian Greens, Watershed Victoria and local residents. Regular rallies have been conducted on the site and in Melbourne since it's proposal and a community group was sent intentionally bankrupt by the Victorian Government after legal action was taken in ragards to initial water requirement figures, environmental effects reports and other issues.
Context
Southeastern Australia has experienced widespread drought conditions for the last 10 to 15 years.[citation needed] Reserves in the state's water storage dams has been decreasing since 1998.[4][5] As a result, water restrictions have been in place for much of that time.[6]
In June 2007, the Victorian Government released its water strategy titled Our Water Our Future. As part of the plan, the government announced its intention to develop a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant to augment Melbourne's water supply, as well as other regional supply systems.[2] With the completion of the desalination plant in 2011, it is anticipated that certain water restrictions will be removed.[7].
Once built, the plant will operate at full capacity for a number of years until Melbourne's dams exceed 65% capacity.[8]
Location
The plant will be built on a 20 hectare site behind Williamsons Beach on the Bass Coast in southern Victoria. It is between Wonthaggi and Kilcunda and near the Powlett River.38°35′19″S 145°30′47″E / 38.58861°S 145.51306°E
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). The Bass Coast was chosen as the premium location.[3] Compulsory acquisition notices were issued to the residents of the proposed desalination site on the 25 January 2008.[9]
The proposed output is intended to account for around a third of Melbourne's annual water use and will represent the largest addition to Melbourne's water system since the addition of the Thomson River Dam in 1975.
Pipeline
A new 85 kilometre pipeline will be constructed from the plant and connect into the existing distribution network at Berwick. Water will enter the City water supply system through Cardinia Reservoir.[10]
Project tendering and funding
The consortium building the plant is AquaSure, which is made up of Degremont, Macquarie Capital and Thiess.[11]
The winning tender was announced at midday 30 July 2009, with construction scheduled to commence in late 2009, and with water being delivered by late 2011.[10]
The Victorian Government estimate approximately 4,745 full-time equivalent jobs will be generated by the project over the two-year construction period.[10]
A windfarm located at Glenthompson will also be built to offset the plant's electricity use.[11]
The capital cost for the project had been estimated at $3.1 billion[12] but increased to $3.5 billion once the consortium was named.[11] This includes the 85 kilometre pipeline connecting it to Melbourne's water supply system. Ongoing operating costs (labour, replacement of membranes, chemicals costs and energy) are estimated at $132 million per annum (in 2007 dollars).[13] The plant will be built and operated as a public-private partnership.
Opposition
Several community groups have campaigned against the proposal, essentially on environmental grounds and economic viability.
Your Water Your Say (YWYS) opposed the proposal, taking legal action against the Victorian State Government regarding non-disclosure of financial information and lack of environmental studies and reports.[14] As of July 2008 YWYS lost the action, and the Federal Court awarded costs to the State Government estimated to be up to $200,000, effectively rendering the community group broke.[15] YWYS was subsequently disbanded.
In their submission response to the EES, YWYS stated: "The Federal and State Governments are aware that YWYS is unlikely to be in a position to pay its significant legal costs and hence their apparent inability to make a decision on this front can only be interpreted as an attempt to further avoid community scrutiny of this project."[16]
Watershed Victoria [17] also opposed the project and has focused on the private-public partnership and the private consortia bidding in the tender process.
Public rallies and protests have been held both at the site in Wonthaggi and in Melbourne on Spring Street outside the State Parliament buildings throughout 2007, 2008 and 2009.[18] In July 2008, a group of around 50 people were removed by police from the site in Wonthaggi.[19]
In June 2009, a petition including 3,000 signatories opposing the plant was presented to the Victorian Parliament.[20]
See also
List of Desalination plants in Australia
References
- ^ "Victorian Desalination Project". Department of Planning and Community Development. 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ a b "The Next Stage of the Government's Plan". Melbourne Water. 16/06/2009. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "Seawater Desalination Plant Feasibility Study - Executive Summary" (PDF). Melbourne Water. June 2007.
- ^ "Answers to your questions on storage levels". Melbourne Water. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Government Programs & Action - Background". Melbourne Water. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Melbourne water storage levels continue to drop". ABC News. March 10, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Restrictions off in five years, says usage report". The Age. May 28, 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Dams set to receive major desal boost". ABC News. 2009-07-11. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
- ^ "Compulsory acquisition notices" (PDF). Your water, your say. 25th January 2008.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c "Facts Sheet" (PDF). Melbourne Water. June 2007.
- ^ a b c "Desal consortium selected". ABC News. 2009-07-30.
- ^ "Our Water Our Future - The Next Stage of the Government's Water Plan, Desalination Plant to Deliver 150 Billion Litres of Water Per Year". Victorian water Industry association. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Seawater Desalination Plant Feasibility Study - Chapter 9a" (PDF). Melbourne Water. June 2007.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "YWYS EES Submission". 30 September 2008.
- ^ Watershed Victoria home page
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Vic Parliament receives Wonthaggi desal petition". ABC News. June 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-04.