Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:42): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the minister representing the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water on the topic of water sources for experimental rocket launches.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Last week, the planning minister granted the final state government approval required for a controversial proposed rocket launching complex on Eyre Peninsula at Whalers Way, despite significant local opposition and concern from environmental, agricultural and tourism groups and, of course, local residents who believe that Whalers Way, a tourism and environmental treasure, is simply the wrong place for space.

The company behind the proposed Whalers Way orbital complex, Southern Launch, says it aims to have the site operational by the end of 2025, with reports that the proponent wants to launch 36 times a year, each and every experimental launch undertaken by Southern Launch needing a significant volume of water for sound deluge purposes. Meanwhile, basic water security for Eyre Peninsula is a serious and pressing concern.

It is well understood on Eyre Peninsula that the Uley South Basin, Eyre Peninsula's main source of potable water, supplying 68 per cent of the region's water, is increasingly at risk of overextraction, yet it is less well understood that the water-based acoustic suppression systems, which are common on rocket launch pads, reducing acoustic energy by injecting large quantities of water below the launch pad into the exhaust plume and in the area above the pad, are incredibly water intensive. My questions, therefore, are:

1. Why is the state government, at the same time the Uley Basin is at breaking point and Eyre Peninsula is running out of water, approving a wasteful, water-guzzling exercise such as launching experimental rockets?

2. How much water is anticipated to be required per launch?

3. Will the minister rule out the taking of any of that water coming from the Uley South Basin or, for that matter, even a drop from the Murray?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:44): I thank the honourable member for her questions. I will refer those to the minister in another place and bring back a reply.