Media Release

Media Release
7 February 2007

DESALINATION

Desalination will not solve the water shortage

Sue Wynn, Greens candidate for Swansea has joined Greens Upper House candidate Dr John Kaye in opposing the expensive and ineffective solution of desalination plants to solve the drastic shortage of water in the Central Coast section of the Swansea electorate.

Ms Wynn said, “Premier Iemma’s decision to go ahead with the desalination option if elected appears to be in contravention of expert opinion and community opposition to desalination as an expensive, greenhouse intensive and ineffective option.

“The ‘mobile’ desalination plants proposed for the Central Coast could become permanent features on beaches. Treated effluent is poured into the ocean at Norah Head. Water will then be drawn from the ocean to desalinate 2 kilometres down the coast at Magenta Shores. The cost of producing water using mobile desalination units has been estimated at $4/kilolitre.

“Highly concentrated salt water from the proposed desalination plant at Vales Point Power Station will go through the sewerage system to the outfall at Norah Head and could lead to the corrosion of the sewer pipes.

“The Greens are committed to long term solutions to the water crisis. We call on the State Government to provide emergency funds for subsidising water tanks, on site recycling systems, and the installation and maintenance of on-site grey water treatment. These solutions can be financed by cancelling expensive projects like mobile desalination units and the Tillegra Dam.”

Ms Wynn said, “10 000 rainwater tanks plumbed into households will save the same amount of water as a desalination plant produces. Tanks create no green house gas emissions once made and create no ongoing costs to produce the water.

The Greens’ water plan focuses on cost effective and environmentally friendly options that will help to guarantee a secure water supply for the region.

The Greens community solutions water package includes:

Cancelling the so-called ‘temporary, mobile’ desalination plants and Tillegra dam. (Savings: $351 million capital costs plus $ 14.6 m each year operating costs)
State government funding to increase existing water tank rebates & encourage greater uptake ($75 million over four years).
Subsidies to pay for the cost and maintenance of on-site and local grey water treatment. ($75 million over four years, plus $10 million over four year’s maintenance).
Working with other state governments to ban the sale of inefficient appliances like top loading washing machines
For further information:
Sue Wynn Phone 4359 1481 Mobile 0431 637 643