Cape Jervis idea for new desalination plant

Islander
Thursday 4/10/2007 Page: 5

Cape Jervis has been put forward as a possible location for SA's future desalination plant. The call for consideration of the Cape has come from the Member for Finniss, Michael Pengilly, who told State Parliament the deep flowing water in Backstairs Passage and the proximity to the Starfish Hill wind farm made Cape Jervis worthy of consideration. "Waters around the Cape are deep and fast flowing which will allow for the brine that is a by-product of the plant to be broken up, minimising harm to the environment," Mr Pengilly said.

As well as a green expansion of the Starfish Hill wind farm to generate power for the plant, he also advocated harnessing wave power. His speech to Parliament followed an announcement last week by the Premier, Mike Rann, that a 50-gigalitre desalination plant to serve Adelaide was among his government's plans to shore up water security for the state. Three weeks earlier the Liberal Party launched a 19-point plan to achieve the same water security. This included a pledge to build a desalination plant.

Since March a Desalination Working Group has investigated possible locations for the plant. According to a government spokeswoman, the group has looked at a number of possible locations, including Pelican Point, Point Stanvac and several spots along the South Coast. This is believed to include Cape Jervis. The group is expected to hand down its report next month and Cabinet should sign off on it in November. Mr Pengilly said building the plant at Cape Jervis would have a number of spinoffs for the region. "The distance from the Cape to the reservoir (at Myponga) is about 40km and building this pipeline would ensure the supply of water for smaller communities along the way, like Cape Jervis, Rapid Bay and Second Valley," he said.

He told Parliament it could also be used to sure up the water supply for the rapidly growing southern suburbs and south coast region. "If you put the desal plant at Cape Jervis in what is very deep water - 300 feet just off Cape Jervis - you do not have a problem with the brine because of the exceptional flow up and down Backstairs Passage," Mr Pengilly told Parliament. "It also has the environmental advantage of Starfish Hill Wind Farm, which could be used and which could be expanded to augment the power for the desalination plant. "The option of using wave power generated through Backstairs Passage may be an option." Mr Rann said the construction of a desalination plant was a complex undertaking. He indicated the government would look for a site that would enable the plant to be doubled in size if necessary in future years. He said there was concern about the impact the plant might have on the significant commercial fishery in Gulf St Vincent.