Monday 8 September 2008

Environmental study gives desal plant green light

Age
Thursday 21/8/2008 Page: 4

MORE than 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas will be pumped out during the construction of Victoria's proposed desalination plant, and another 1.2 million tonnes emitted each year once it starts boosting Melbourne's water supply. The figures were released yesterday in the Government's 1600-page environmental effects study report on the $3.1 billion project, which said the plant planned for the Bass Coast between Wonthaggi and Kilcunda would do no long-term or irreversible damage to the environment.

But confusion emerged over a Government pledge to offset the plant's annual greenhouse footprint - roughly 1% of the state's yearly emissions - after Water Minister Tim Holding said it could be achieved by using clean energy generated interstate. The report says the plant's operators must buy extra renewable energy, generated in addition to the state's target of 10% of electricity coming from clean sources - mainly wind farms - by 2016. This would guarantee additional clean energy is introduced specifically to meet the plant's needs.

But Mr Holding said yesterday the plant's power did not have to come from locally based new clean energy projects, but could come from interstate. It prompted concern from Environment Victoria, the state's peak conservation body, that the plant's emissions could be offset by projects that are counted towards meeting the clean energy target nationally or in another state. If that is the way it pans out, there is no way you could say it was offset and powered by renewable energy," Environment Victoria campaigns director Mark Wakeham said.

Greenhouse emissions during the construction of the plant, and about 70,000 tonnes from waste decomposition and transport during its operation, will not be offset. Planned to be operational by 2011, it would initially supply 150 billion litres of water, later increasing to 200 billion litres. The report said several protected species could be affected by the plant's construction and operation - including the Orange-Bellied Parrot, the Growling Grass Frog and the Giant Gippsland Earthworm but none would be left significantly worse off.

"There has been a lot said about the potential impact on whale colonies, on penguins, on other marine life," Mr Holding said. The report shows those concerns are unfounded." Parts of the project listed as high-risk included potential damage to the rocky reef habitat directly off the proposed plant site; the destruction of Aboriginal artefacts during earthworks; and loss of access to agricultural land while the pipeline is laid and power lines connected.

Using a two-headed marine structure extending up to two kilometres offshore, the plant will take in 480 billion litres of seawater and pump back 280 billion litres of saline concentration each year. About 85 kilometres of pipeline will link it to Melbourne's water supply. The Government has not nominated a preferred option for powering the plant, but the report suggests mostly overland power lines joining to the grid. Opposition planning spokesman Matthew Guy said the report was a whitewash. Interested parties have five weeks to prepare submissions on the environmental study.
  • Report says plant will cause no long-term damage.
  • Greenhouse emissions during construction and about 70,000 tonnes during operation will not be offset.

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