Greens win on desalination inquiry - 2 December 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen will chair an Upper House inquiry into a sustainable water supply for Sydney including the Kurnell desalination project.

“I am pleased that the committee agreed that the inquiry should proceed”, Mr Cohen said today.

“This will be an opportunity for the parliament to properly assess the environmental and economic effectiveness of the proposed desalination plant while looking at the alternatives including demand management, recycling and rain water tanks,” Mr Cohen said.

Terms of reference:

That General Purpose Standing Committee No 5 inquire into and report on a sustainable water supply for Sydney and, in particular:

(a) the environmental impact of the proposed desalination plant at Kurnell

(b) the environmental assessment process associated with the proposed desalination plant

(c) methods for reducing the use of potable water for domestic, industrial, commercial and agricultural purposes, including sustainable water consumption practices

(d) the costs and benefits of desalination and alternative sources of water including recycled wastewater, groundwater, rainwater tanks and stormwater harvesting

(e) practices concerning the disposal of trade waste

(f) the tender process and contractual arrangements, including public-private partnerships, in relation to the to the proposed desalination plant, and

(g) any other matters


Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095