The Upper Spencer Gulf was found to be the worst possible site for a desalination plant by a State parliamentary committee, and the main concern for residents in the region. About 4000 submissions were made during the 14 weeks of public comment -allocated for BHP Billiton’s environmental impact statement on the Olympic Dam mine - which closed last week.

The company has proposed to establish a desalination plant at Point Lowly – near Whyalla – as part of the mine expansion. The Department of Planning and Local Government said the desalination plant was one of the main concerns from residents of the Upper Spencer Gulf, along with potential affects on the region’s marine environment.

The parliamentary committee unanimously recommended the a desalination plant be located at a different site at a parliamentary meeting last week in Whyalla. Environment, Resources and Development Committee presiding member Lyn Breuer said the committee had been told the proposed site would be the worst possible. She said her main concern was the damage that it could have on marine life.

Relevant ministers would have to take notice of the report, Ms Breuer believed, and hoped they would consider the findings. “The outcry from the reports results shows that people do feel strongly about this,” she said.

The department also pointed out that concerns were also expressed towards the landing facility near Port Augusta, and in particular, the haul road associated with the facility.

The consultation period closed with the majority of submissions coming from environmental groups, however there were still a number of individuals and community organisations raising their concerns. Port Augusta shack owner Peter Huxtable submitted his concerns during the consultation period, and holds similar concerns about the potential impact such a facility could have on the gulf.

He said that the gulf was like a bathtub; it is not an open space of water, so it takes a longer time to replace the water. “Salinity up here is a lot higher, and as you get lower (down the gulf), salinity is less,” he said. “So it would make sense to locate the plant in a more open section of water, which would have less of an impact on the marine environment. “On the western coast of the State would be the best option, as the waters are more fluid.”

It seems as though they (BHP Billiton) have just gone for the simplest and easiest option with this (location). “It’s definitely the wrong spot for it.”

Mr Huxtable pointed outlined his concerns over the desalination plant in his submission. He also highlighted the notion that the facility “completely contradicts” the work the State Government is trying to accomplish with the establishment of marine parks in the region.

“Information that they (State Government) have given tell us that there are about 4000 different things in the gulf that are unique and in need of preserving, and putting a desal plant in the middle is just contradicting that,” he said. “I just hope they make the right decision for the gulf after they read the submissions.”

“The mine will bring jobs, but at what cost to the environment and tourism here?” BHP Billiton’s response to the submissions is expected early next year.

Spencer Gulf 'worst site' for desal plant

Transcontinental Newspaper. Port Augusta. 12th August 2009. Original article

Lights back on

The Whyalla Council has turn the Point Lowly Lighthouse light back on with a dimmer yellow light