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Summary of Victoriaʼs proposed Desalination Project.
Victoria has a significant water security problem, however desalination is a regressive short term band-aid solution that will perpetuate the problem that it is intended to solve! There are better alternatives.
The proposed WATER FACTORY is the largest infrastructure project in Victoria!s history that will have far reaching and dramatic effects for all of Australia, and indeed the world.
It will spoil a wild and magnificent heritage listed coastline via a factory the size of the MCG up to 20 metres high, and possibly a new gas-fired power station to power it!
It will threaten marine communities including that of the nearby Phillip Island Penguins, one of the nation’s most important and internationally recognised natural attractions.
The threat to the marine environment is largely due to;
• the discharge of 7000 litres of effluent per SECOND into the ocean comprising concentrated brine, heavy metals and toxic chemicals such as chlorine that all kill ecosystems.
• sucking in and killing 300 000 small organisms per SECOND; the base of the food chain, with obvious flow on effects to fisheries, the adjacent marine national park, penguin reserve and RAMSAR wetland.
But MOST importantly, it will be a CLIMATE CHANGE NIGHTMARE. The proposed plant will produce up to a massive 1 000 000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year. While there are environmentally friendlier alternatives, this is absolutely irresponsible and incongruous with recent federal government commitments to reducing emissions by 60% by 2050!
Ironically, it is carbon emissions that increase climate change that reduce rainfall that is driving Government’s misguided decision to pursue desalination, resulting in this lunatic and irresponsible vicious cycle.
Continue reading Desalination Information Update 22June08 »
