PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: HAPPY VALLEY WATER TREATMENT PLANT CHLORINATION FACILITY UPGRADE

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (11:32): I move:

That the 399^th report of the committee, on the Happy Valley Water Treatment Plant (WTP) chlorination facility upgrade, be noted.

The upgrade of the existing chlorination facility at Happy Valley Water Treatment Plant will be included in the construction of this project, and it will provide an alternate emergency road. It will ensure compliance with the legislative requirements—mainly SafeWork SA requirements and national OH&S regulations—and hence issuing of the MHF licence. It will ensure compliance with Australian standards, mostly dealing with the storage and handling of liquefied chlorine gas and avoid chlorine leaks. Chlorine is an extremely toxic substance to both humans and the environment. It will also provide operational flexibility when obtaining conventionally treated water and desalinated water over a wide range of blended ratios. A brief description of the proposed scope of the proposal is as follows:

a 21 by 27 metre precast concrete building containing various chlorination, chlorine safety and electrical equipment;

an alternate emergency access/egress road;

replacement of all buried chlorine solution pipework;

commissioning of the new chlorination facility; and

modification of the existing chlorine building for future bulk storage and workshop, including decommissioning, demolition and removal of the existing chlorination components.

The Public Works Committee has examined this proposal and has been informed that the capital cost of the project will be $17.848 million, including $14.243 million in construction costs, estimated to include a 15 per cent contingency. The project is proposed to commence in May 2011, with completion expected in December 2012. Based upon the evidence presented to it, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliament Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to the parliament that it recommends the proposed public work.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (11:35): This 399^th report of the Public Works Committee enjoys the opposition's full support. This is a very good use of taxpayers' money—$17.8 million—to ensure we have high quality water available to taxpayers. It is a very good project and we look forward to its early construction.

Motion carried.