Reckless arrogance on desalination plant - 31 October 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says Energy and Utilities minister Carl Scully is being arrogant and reckless to proceed with trial desalination plants before the main Kurnell plant has been approved.

“Public submissions to the Federal Government about whether the desalination plant will undergo full environment assessment haven’t even closed,” Mr Cohen said.

“Mr Scully is ignoring all those residents and members of the public who are making submissions in good faith that their submissions will at least be considered.

“This is NSW Government arrogance of the worst order. These trial plants are not designed to actually test wheter we need a full desalination plant. Instead they are designed to railroad the main project through.

“We need a common sense, level headed approach to dealing with Sydney’s water needs. Spending $94M on these pilot desalination plants is reckless.

“Sydneysiders do not want to be lumped with this dirty, expensive, greenhouse-intensive option when our water needs can be meet through recycling, storm water use and demand management,” Mr Cohen said.

Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095