Eyre Peninsula Water Supply

In reply to Mr TELFER (Flinders) (25 June 2025). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION (Taylor—Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Housing Infrastructure, Minister for Planning): I have been advised:

Groundwater from the Southern Eyre Peninsula currently supplies 75 per cent of the region's source water, with the balance largely supplemented by water from the River Murray via a pipeline that travels from Iron Knob to Lock on the Eyre Peninsula.

With the increased water availability, upon completion of the Eyre Peninsula desalination plant in 2026, there will be the opportunity to be more flexible in how water is supplied to the Eyre Peninsula.

At times, water being supplied by the existing pipeline may not be required, or there may be restrictions on River Murray Water availability. In such circumstances, having the ability for water to flow from Lock to Iron Knob will increase the number of Eyre Peninsula customers that can be supplied with water from the Eyre Peninsula desalination plant.

This increased flexibility in infrastructure operations can increase water security across SA Water's network in times of drought and may be able to support growth opportunities.