Barossa Water Pipeline

In reply to the Hon. J.A. DARLEY (10 November 2020).

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services): The Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development has advised:

In February 2020, the Marshall Liberal government announced it was investigating delivering reclaimed water from the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant, via existing and new infrastructure, to deliver additional water to the Barossa and Eden Valleys.

A preliminary business case, commissioned by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions in 2019, estimated potential demand for up to an additional 14 gigalitres (GL) of water which could generate $292 million per year in economic activity and deliver 1,000 new jobs.

In response to the honourable member's specific questions:

1. Wine grapes. Livestock production may also be supported.

2. The cost of the water will be dependent on factors including water treatment costs and distribution costs.

3. The pipeline project does not, of itself, stipulate any minimum allotment size or project scale to qualify for access to water.

4. Refer to answer of question 3.