A refreshed and independently-led process to explore potential alternative sites for the planned Eyre Peninsula desalination plant started this week.
This follows a State Government announcement in November for further investigation and community consultation over the next year into the proposed location.
A desalination plant for Eyre Peninsula would provide a new reliable, climate-independent source of drinking water to supplement existing groundwater sources and the River Murray.
Subject to development and environmental approvals, construction of the new desalination plant could begin mid-next year, with first water to be delivered by the end of 2024.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said a 20-member site selection committee had been established - comprising key local sectors and chaired by outgoing Member for Flinders Peter Treloar - and would be integral to determining a preferred location for the desalination plant.
"Our number one priority with this project is improving drinking water security and quality in the region, but we also know how important it is to the local community that a location for a new desalination facility is environmentally and socially acceptable," he said.
"SA Water has been working with a range of local interest groups, and these sectors will be represented in the newly-established site selection committee, who will work through the identification and shortlisting of potential sites, before recommending a site that best meets the environmental, social, technical, cultural and economic criteria, which the committee will help frame.
"The committee, which will identify a preferred location by mid-2022, has a wide range of expertise to help ensure all interests are being taken into consideration, and local knowledge is being used to add value to the project.
"SA Water's expert input will be ensuring the site is technically feasible, provides value for money, and achieves water quality outcomes for the Eyre Peninsula region.
"Peter Treloar's involvement as independent chair of the committee was suggested and unanimously endorsed by all key local stakeholders."
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Mr Treloar said the committee included representatives from aquaculture, agriculture, local business and local government.
"Bringing these groups together will mean we hear firsthand from a wide cross-section of the local community to help inform decision making," he said.
"Details of which alternative sites to be assessed will be determined with the committee early in the meeting schedule, with the broader community provided with opportunities to provide feedback on the committee's key decision areas throughout the process."
Ongoing data collection will be established for short-listed sites, and continue at the base case location, building documentation for the approvals process.
Site selection committee members are Mr Treloar, City of Port Lincoln's Brad Flaherty and Matthew Morgan, District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula's Jo-Anne Quigley and Delfina Lanzilli, District Council of Tumby Bay's Stephen Hibbit and Rebecca Hayes, Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association's Clare McLaughlin and Peter Scott, Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board's Mark Whitfield and Jonathan Clark, Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula's Bryan Trigg and Ryan Viney, South Australian Mussel Growers Association's Andy Dyer, Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry association's Brian Jeffries, Abalone Industry Association of South Australia's Thomas McNab, South Australian Sardine Industry Association's Claire Webber, Port Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Tourism's Sharni-Marie Barney, Recreational Fishers Council's Shane Hodgens and TSA's Gary Neave.
Visit watertalks.sawater.com.au for more information.
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