Although it is primarily BHP Billiton who will decide which water supply option is chosen, the SA Government will play a critical and highly influential role. As well as its public commitment of $160 million for the desalination option, it is actively lobbying for additional Commonwealth funding support. Also, BHP Billiton will require a signifi cant number of State government approvals for the desalination plant to succeed. That decision making role of the government, can and should be used to infl uence the company's choice.

I believe the Rann Government should immediately withdraw its desalination subsidy, and demand BHP Billiton take a good hard look at SA Water's exciting proposal.

I simply can not understand why Mike Rann has hitched his wagon so completely to BHP Billiton's desalination option, when a better water option exists. I would strongly encourage you to get in contact with the Rann Government and tell them what you think. How to do this here

The SA Water plan will prevent a signifi cant source of pollution and turn it into a money earning asset. This is the essence of sustainability. Congratulations must go to SA Water for thinking outside the square. They should be supported by the Government, not undermined. Instead, we are facing a water system that will see our state dump about 150ML of grade 'B' water into the sea a day, at a major cost to the environment, and then pull out of the sea about the same amount again – but this time we have to spend vast amounts of money and energy making it usable.

Then, we go and pollute one of the most fragile parts of the South Australian coastline, as we dump the waste from the desalination back into the sea. How smart is that?

References

http://www.waterproofingadelaide.sa.gov.au/pdf/ wpa_Strategy.pdf

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/acws.html

Go for the SA Water proposal: Recycling

Mark Parnell. Greens Upper House MP.