DESALINATION PLANTS

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Does the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) have any role in ensuring that the proposed desalination plant at Point Bonython will not pose any risk to any of the various Spencer Gulf fisheries?

The Hon. R.J. McEWEN (Mount Gambier—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests) (15:07): As much as I understand the question, I am just wondering why the member would ask it of me, other than to the extent that SARDI, which obviously is a well-respected research arm of this government, is commissioned by other agencies. It is commissioned by industry to provide a whole raft of scientific-based services around sustainability and the impact on fishing grounds, etc.

On that basis, if the question is whether SARDI would be asked and whether it would have some capacity and capability in terms of the impact of saline solutions and the consequence of desalination being returned to the ocean, it could well provide that advice. I note that we raised that this morning.

I was fortunate to look at the desalination plant just south of Antofogasta, which provides water to service Escondida. What was of interest—I will check, but this is my recollection—was that in that environment the intake of saline water is within 60 metres of the outlet that releases the supersaline solution. Obviously, as indicated by a member of the opposition this morning, these supersaline solutions can be dispersed quickly depending upon the nature of currents and the environment.

So, again, we will obviously look at any desal plant, and the consequences of it will be looked at in terms of the local environment. Should SARDI have a role in that, it would certainly have some expertise in that regard. If it is asked to provide some advice, it would be the appropriate advice, we have the appropriate expertise, and we would be happy to do so.