Port Lincoln developer Dean Lukin Jr, who sold SA Water land for a desalination plant, calls for sweeping changes to the project

The developer who sold land to pave way for the Eyre Peninsula desalination plant says he had to leave town over the backlash – but is now joining the chorus calling for changes to the project.

Dean Lukin Jr – who sold SA Water the site of the future Eyre Peninsula desalination plant – said the sale was so controversial that he was forced to relocate from Port Lincoln to Adelaide. Picture: Supplied

The developer who sold SA Water the site of the future Eyre Peninsula desalination plant is pleading with the government to expand the plans to include a new link road and relocated wharf facilities.

Dean Lukin Jr, the son of Olympic gold medal weightlifter Dean Lukin and member of the famed fishing family, said the sale was so controversial that he was forced to relocate from Port Lincoln to Adelaide.

But he said, at the time of the sale, he had been left with the impression the land would be developed as an industrial zone, with infrastructure to support the desalination plant.

Such infrastructure was not included in plans for the $313m plant at Billy Lights Point, on the outskirts of Port Lincoln.

At the time of the sale, Mr Lukin said he had been left with the impression the land would be developed as an industrial zone, with infrastructure to support the desalination plant. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Mr Lukin plans to make a deputation to the Port Lincoln Council, asking them to support a push for the state government to modify the plans.

“I believe the government is open to constructive proposals,” he said.

“As stakeholders, we must present a comprehensive plan integrating the fishing wharf, heavy vehicle bypass, and desalination plant within the industrial sector.

“What I’m going to propose to the government is to have it like a super-precinct that fixes all our issues … if we can have something like that, in 30 years time it will be a mecca. It will create jobs.”

The sale of Mr Lukin’s land happened under the former Liberal government in 2021.

In his first public interview since then, he described the sale as “the most difficult corporate decision I’ve ever had to make” and said the associated scrutiny became “unbearable”.

“It was (a) decision in the best interests of the state,” he said.

“Unfortunately, having reviewed the proposal and its recent lodgement of the development application, I sincerely apologise for the potential unprecedented impact on Port Lincoln if approved and implemented as is.

“I respectfully request that people wait until the process is complete because I think I have had enough … criticism.”

The region has been sourcing drinking water from an underground basin, but the supply is expected to become undrinkable in two years – meaning time to find a solution is running out.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Nick Champion, who has oversight of SA Water, said the Eyre Peninsula Desalination Plant development application was before the State Commission Assessment Panel for evaluation.

Minister Nick Champion said the governments priority was to deliver a sustainable drinking source for the Eyre Peninsula by mid-2026. Picture: Mark Brake

“All details of the project are publicly available in that application,” he said.

“The government’s priority is to deliver a climate-independent and sustainable drinking water source for the Eyre Peninsula by mid-2026.”

The state government in May announced it would undertake a major planning study into all freight options for the Eyre Peninsula.

However, the plant is a stand-alone project and, during construction and operation, there would be no requirement for a western link road.