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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-06-17 Daily Xml
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DESALINATION PLANT, EYRE PENINSULA

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Water Security. Will the commitment of $160 million for the now cancelled Upper Spencer Gulf desalination plant still be made available to deliver water to the people of the Mid North and Eyre Peninsula and, if not, what will happen to the funding? On 19 February 2007 the Premier issued a media release which stated that he welcomed a firm commitment from federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd to a $160 million contribution to the proposed desalination plant in the Upper Spencer Gulf.

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD (Chaffey—Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security) (14:31): It is a really good question, because the water issue in South Australia is a very important one, and water security is an issue this government takes very seriously. We have just made an announcement to increase the capacity of the Adelaide desalination plant from 50 gigalitres per annum to 100 gigalitres per annum, taking significant pressure off the River Murray, particularly in drought years. It is a very good decision and, in light of that decision, there has been a rethink of the other investment in this state in relation to desalination plants.

The $160 million that was promised by the former government comes from the Rural and Regional Water Fund, and we have written to the federal government seeking support for other projects that we will be investing in in the future.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition!

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