Water Corporation's Early Publication of Desalination Plant Location in Albany Sparks Controversy
The Western Australian government's decision to select a desalination plant site in the Great Southern region has ignited debate, with the Water Corporation citing a need for an additional water source at Nanarup, 430 kilometers south of Perth. The region's current water supply is projected to fall short of demand by 2030, prompting the government's action.
Minister for Water and Climate Resilience, Don Punch, assured that the water supply would facilitate Albany's growth over the next 25 to 30 years. However, the chosen location has been a contentious issue for years, with Premier Roger Cook ruling out King George Sound during the last election campaign due to concerns from commercial fishers, aquaculturalists, and tourism operators.
The Water Corporation initially intended to inform residents about the West Nanarup site at a community meeting, but an 'administrative error' led to the decision being prematurely published on their website before being swiftly removed. The corporation's Great Southern regional manager, Adrian Stewart, attributed the error to a failure to distribute project information to all intended recipients.
Local resident David Marshall expressed the community's dissatisfaction, advocating for an alternative site. He highlighted the potential impact on the semi-enclosed lagoon at the west end of Nanarup, a popular recreational spot for Albany residents.
Despite the controversy, the water minister assured that the desalination plant would have minimal impact on Nanarup Beach during construction, with the facility set well back from the beach and the pipes buried under the seabed. The plant is projected to have a footprint of about four to five shipping containers and be constructed on a 2-hectare site, with careful attention to light pollution and noise.
Environmental approvals and further assessments are required, and the Water Corporation has committed to involving a community reference group in the decision-making process. The cost estimate will be available after the detailed design stage, which is expected to take one to two years.
Despite concerns from residents like Glenn Tysoe, who worries about the impact on salmon and herring migration, the government maintains that the plant is necessary and will have a small environmental footprint.
