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Archive for December, 2007
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Bass Coast Shire Council’s Media Release - Desalination plant subject to an Environmental Effects Statement
No Comments »Please read the Council’s response to the news that an EES is to be conducted.
EES - Bass Coast Shire Council’s Media Release
The State government had no responsible option but to call for an EES on
the proposed Bass Coast desalination plant.
The referral documents raised countless and alarming questions on the
environmental effects that the project will have on the local and
wider marine and terrestrial environments, and the amenity and social
consequences for all Victorians.
The State government has shown arrogance and disregard for due process by
failing to address the economically responsible, and the environmentally
sustainable alternatives to desalination for helping to secure Victoria’s water future.
Many of those alternatives were promoted by this government prior to the last state election and were clearly outlined in their own documents, which placed desalination as a last resort.
Inexplicably and despite many requests for the rationale behind this sudden turnaround in policy,
Victorians have no explanation as to why this government is pursuing THE most expensive, environmentally damaging and polluting method to aid in our water security, that is incongruous with federal government’s recent commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 60% by 2050.
- Thus, the terms of reference of this EES must be broadened to include all alternatives to desalination and the effect that this project will have on climate change.
- The EES must be via an open process where all Victorians have a real opportunity to contribute, and must be chaired and judged by an independent panel.
Ideally no work should commence at the site until this EES process is completed, but unfortunately Minister Madden has decided that
“The following preliminary works to inform design and environmental investigations, which are not part of the capital works described above, are excluded from this decision requiring
assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978, in view of their low or negligible potential
for adverse environmental effects:
i. Geotechnical drilling and sampling to determine site conditions, including onshore and
offshore drilling and horizontal directional drilling from onshore entry points, as well as
digging of test pits;
ii. Installation of pipes into horizontal directional drill holes from onshore entry points to
offshore positions;
iii. Construction of offshore marine structures above the seabed for seawater intake and
discharge;
iv. The construction and temporary operation of seawater sampling units;
v. The installation and operation of one or more pre-treatment and/or desalination pilot
plants of a maximum aggregate capacity of 6 megalitres per day;
vi. The provision of power and water supply that is adequate for the construction and
operation of the works described above.
The works described above are subject to relevant statutory authorisations, including the
preparation of any necessary environmental management plan.”
Please follow this link for the REASONS FOR DECISION UNDER ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS ACT 1978
Nick Higginbottom
December 29, 2007 12:00am
A DESALINATION plant will be built on Victoria’s southeast coast, despite the State Government announcing it will conduct a major environmental study of the project.
Planning Minister Justin Madden yesterday announced the launch of an environmental effects statement for the $3 billion plant at Wonthaggi.
Mr Madden said he expected the EES would not change the project’s time frame even though the study would take about a year to complete.
He was also confident the project would be built on budget as the cost of the EES was considered at the outset of the planning process.
The draft terms of reference will be released in February when public submissions will open. The final report is expected at the end of 2008.
A group opposing the plant, Your Water Your Say, cautiously welcomed the EES decision, but spokeswoman Andrea Bolch said it seemed like a token effort from the Government.
“It does concern me that Justin Madden doesn’t think this (EES) will have any effect on the timing of the project,” Ms Bolch said.
Please read on in the Herald Sun - Wonthaggi desalination plant go ahead






