Southern Seawater Desalination Project
Federal environmental approval for Southern Seawater Desalination Plant
The Water Corporation reached a critical milestone this week when the Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) granted conditional environmental approval for the Southern Seawater Desalination Project.
The Federal environmental approval is the final external approval required and the Corporation will now move immediately to formalise the design and construction, and operations and maintenance contracts with the Southern SeaWater Alliance (SSWA).
Whilst investigative geotechnical work will commence immediately on site, bulk earthworks and construction will not commence until our revegetation plan is approved by the DEWHA. This approval is expected over the coming weeks.
As was the case with the WA Government’s environmental approval, the Federal Government has imposed strict conditions on the project to ensure the protection of the Matters of National Environmental Significance protected under the Federal act.
The Corporation and SSWA are confident these stringent conditions can be managed effectively.
The construction of the 50 billion litres per year desalination plant by 2011 is a vital step in securing our State’s future water needs.
To review the both the Federal and State conditions applied to the project please see below.
** If you would like a hard copy of the above conditons, please email desalination@watercorporation.com.au or call 1800 810 075.
Project Background
WA Premier Alan Carpenter announced on 15 May 2007 that a new desalination plant to be built near Binningup in the Shire of Harvey will be the next major water source for WA.
Since 2001, the south of Western Australia has been subject to severe drought conditions. Average flow into Perth's metropolitan dams has dropped significantly while increasing growth across the State has meant demand for water continues to increase. In response to these changing conditions the Water Corporation is developing a range of options to supply water for Western Australia.
Desalination is a climate independent water source and is a key part of the Corporation's plan to ensure a secure water supply for Western Australia. In April 2007 the Corporation achieved an important milestone with the opening of the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant, which is now delivering 17 per cent of the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS).