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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-07-03 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

DESALINATION PLANTS

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD (Chaffey—Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Small Business, Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Trade) (15:15): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD: As the first step in the procurement process of the Adelaide Desalination Plant, SA Water will tomorrow issue a request for expressions of interest from national or international consortia to deliver the project. Respondents with the highest level of expertise in design, construction and operation of desalination plants are being sought. They will need to show specific expertise in marine intake and outfall structure modelling, design, construction and operation. In particular—

Mr VENNING: Sir, we are having trouble hearing the minister speaking on this side of the house.

The SPEAKER: Perhaps the minister might avail herself of one of the other microphones, if that one does not seem to be working. I take it the minister's statement has been distributed, anyway.

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD: Yes, it has, sir. Respondents with the highest level of expertise in design, construction and operation of desalination plants are being sought. They will need to show specific expertise in marine intake and outfall structure modelling, design, construction and operation—in particular relating to the diffusion of brine and managing environmental impacts.

The state government recognises the critical importance of ensuring we take every precaution in the procurement, construction and operation of this project. The environment is at the forefront of our planning for a desalination plant at Port Stanvac.

I would like to take this opportunity to outline some of the environmental investigations that are underway. There is the Marine Ecological Characterisation Study, habitat mapping and marine Species Review. These investigations are focused on identifying marine habitats, communities and species at the Port Stanvac site and wider region with the objective of identifying habitats or species of ecological significance and informing requirements for the design, construction and operation of the plant to minimise any potential marine impacts.

Bathymetric and seismic surveys are being undertaken to inform the design and construction. This information will also be built upon through the marine geotechnical investigations. Water quality investigations have commenced to provide baseline water quality information for the Port Stanvac site, and this information is informing the design requirements also. Hydrodynamic modelling investigations are being progressed that incorporate dispersion modelling and mid field modelling to inform the diffuser design and mixing requirements.

A whole Gulf St Vincent salt brine modelling analysis has also commenced to examine the overall water budget and determine any potential influence on the overall salinity in the gulf. A number of studies to assess potential impacts associated with entrainment of marine larvae are being progressed as part of identifying management measures to incorporate into the design. Eco-toxicological investigations are undertaken to determine the possible impacts and sensitivity of associated marine biota to the discharge.

Geotechnical and site contamination assessments are being carried out to provide an understanding of potential site contamination issues and any requirements for management or remediation for during construction. Air quality, noise and odour investigations studies are focused on collecting baseline information about current conditions at the site, identifying possible impacts for the project either during construction or operation. The studies will be used to identify management measures that will be needed. Assessments of offshore acoustic impacts are also being undertaken. Terrestrial and coastal flora and fauna assessments are being undertaken to identify areas of biodiversity significance at Port Stanvac and inform design considerations.

As part of the state government's Four Ways to Water Security strategy, the Adelaide Desalination Plant is an investment for the future that will allow us to be adaptable and flexible with our water supply management. We are ensuring that we fully consider our environment as we move forward on this most significant water infrastructure project in the state's history.

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