Second desal plant an option for Sydney

A second desalination plant could be built in Sydney if the state’s drought worsens, under controversial plans contained in the Berejiklian Government’s official water policy documents.

• Desalination plant switched on as water levels fall below 60 per cent
• Desalination plant to run for next 14 months despite storms adding water to Warragamba Dam

A second desalination plant could be built in Sydney if the state’s drought worsens, under controversial plans contained in the Berejiklian Government’s official water policy documents.

The $1.8 billion Kurnell desal plant was switched on three days ago (Sunday) after Sydney’s dams dipped below 60 per cent storage.

Kurnell Desalination Plant. Photo Jeremy Piper

Under the rules set out in the 2017 Metropolitan Water Plan, the NSW Government is now required to commission a “drought supply options study”.

“This study will investigate the most suitable drought response measures for use in the event of an extreme drought,” the official plan, endorsed by Ms Berejiklian and Water Minister Don Harwin, states.

“The best options for supplying up to 100 million litres per day will be selected from the list of measures identified as part of this plan.

“These include … building a new desalination plant in a different location to the current Sydney Desalination Plant.”

Second desalination plant an option for Sydney. Photo Jeremy Piper

But plans to build another billion dollar plant in Sydney are a “kick in the guts” to country residents, say MPS from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.

“This is a kick in the guts to several towns across the bush with no drinking water at all,”

SFF Upper House MP Robert Borsak said.

“The NSW Government have already spent $2 billion on a desal plant they don’t use.

“It’s unbelievable a second desalination plant is even being considered.”

Last night Water Minister Don Harwin confirmed the study had begun, but would not answer questions about whether it would include costing a second plant.

A ministerial spokesman said there were no “current” plants to build a second desal plant.

“Sydney Water and WaterNSW have commenced the study on behalf of the Government as stipulated in the Metropolitan Water Plan,” a ministerial spokesman said.

“The study will look at a range of demand and supply options to ensure greater Sydney has a secure water supply — even in extreme drought.

“The Metropolitan Water Plan is the NSW Government’s plan to ensure a secure and sustainable water supply for Greater Sydney and was developed through detailed consultation with water experts and the community.

The desal plant will supply up to 15 per cent of the city’s drinking water by converting seawater to fresh water. Photo Jeremy Piper

The study by Sydney Water and WaterNSW will also examine expanding the Kurnell site and possibly building a series of small-scale temporary desalination units made from shipping-container-sized plants.

When in full production the desal plant will supply up to 15 per cent of the city’s drinking water by converting seawater to fresh water, but has been dogged by years of controversy.

Families have been paying an extra $90 to $100 a year on their water bills to cover its costs despite it laying dormant since 2012, and switching it on means this will rise by another $35 a year.

Opposition water spokesman Chris Minns said the privatisation of the plant by the current government meant the government’s “hands are tied” in considering options for a second plant.

“We are now in a position where we’ll have to negotiate with a group of Canadians (the shareholders of the plant) as to where, whether and when a new desalination plant can be built next to the existing one,” he said.

“It’s close to impossible to plan for a second plant when it will depend on the consent of the privatised original.”

Originally published as Second desal plant an option for Sydney