❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the location of the outlet pipe for the Perth seawater desalination plant, focusing on environmental impact and alternative locations. The Minister confirms the current plan and defends the chosen location based on environmental advice and monitoring commitments.
AnsweredQoN 161Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the location of the outlet pipe for the proposed Perth seawater desalination plant, which will be built adjacent to Cockburn Sound in Kwinana. (1) What options were considered when determining the most appropriate location of the outlet pipe from the desalination plant? (2) Will the minister confirm that the current plan is to locate the outlet pipe from the proposed desalination plant in the vicinity of Barter Street? (3) Will the government reconsider relocating the outlet pipe near the Woodman Point waste water treatment plant’s outlet pipes, which are located four kilometres offshore in the Sepia Depression west of Garden Island, to enable the joint dispersal of the waste water from the desalination plant and the fresh water from the waste water treatment plant, thus potentially minimising the environmental impact, such as an increase in the salinity level etc? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(1) What options were considered when determining the most appropriate location of the outlet pipe from the desalination plant? (2) Will the minister confirm that the current plan is to locate the outlet pipe from the proposed desalination plant in the vicinity of Barter Street? (3) Will the government reconsider relocating the outlet pipe near the Woodman Point waste water treatment plant’s outlet pipes, which are located four kilometres offshore in the Sepia Depression west of Garden Island, to enable the joint dispersal of the waste water from the desalination plant and the fresh water from the waste water treatment plant, thus potentially minimising the environmental impact, such as an increase in the salinity level etc? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(2) Will the minister confirm that the current plan is to locate the outlet pipe from the proposed desalination plant in the vicinity of Barter Street? (3) Will the government reconsider relocating the outlet pipe near the Woodman Point waste water treatment plant’s outlet pipes, which are located four kilometres offshore in the Sepia Depression west of Garden Island, to enable the joint dispersal of the waste water from the desalination plant and the fresh water from the waste water treatment plant, thus potentially minimising the environmental impact, such as an increase in the salinity level etc? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(3) Will the government reconsider relocating the outlet pipe near the Woodman Point waste water treatment plant’s outlet pipes, which are located four kilometres offshore in the Sepia Depression west of Garden Island, to enable the joint dispersal of the waste water from the desalination plant and the fresh water from the waste water treatment plant, thus potentially minimising the environmental impact, such as an increase in the salinity level etc? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(1) What options were considered when determining the most appropriate location of the outlet pipe from the desalination plant? (2) Will the minister confirm that the current plan is to locate the outlet pipe from the proposed desalination plant in the vicinity of Barter Street? (3) Will the government reconsider relocating the outlet pipe near the Woodman Point waste water treatment plant’s outlet pipes, which are located four kilometres offshore in the Sepia Depression west of Garden Island, to enable the joint dispersal of the waste water from the desalination plant and the fresh water from the waste water treatment plant, thus potentially minimising the environmental impact, such as an increase in the salinity level etc? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(2) Will the minister confirm that the current plan is to locate the outlet pipe from the proposed desalination plant in the vicinity of Barter Street? (3) Will the government reconsider relocating the outlet pipe near the Woodman Point waste water treatment plant’s outlet pipes, which are located four kilometres offshore in the Sepia Depression west of Garden Island, to enable the joint dispersal of the waste water from the desalination plant and the fresh water from the waste water treatment plant, thus potentially minimising the environmental impact, such as an increase in the salinity level etc? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(3) Will the government reconsider relocating the outlet pipe near the Woodman Point waste water treatment plant’s outlet pipes, which are located four kilometres offshore in the Sepia Depression west of Garden Island, to enable the joint dispersal of the waste water from the desalination plant and the fresh water from the waste water treatment plant, thus potentially minimising the environmental impact, such as an increase in the salinity level etc? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following response - (1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(1) Options that would be environmentally acceptable and minimise costs were considered. More specifically, the outlet is located in water that is sufficiently deep to ensure adequate mixing of the discharge while still being in the immediate offshore vicinity of the plant. (2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(2) Yes. (3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
(3) There is no need to relocate the Perth seawater desalination plant outlet pipe to Sepia Depression. The Department of Environment has advised the Water Corporation that the environmental aspects of the operation of a desalination plant at Kwinana can be appropriately managed to ensure the health of Cockburn Sound. Additionally, the Water Corporation has committed to a detailed monitoring program to monitor the health of Cockburn Sound on an ongoing basis. Further management action will be taken should this monitoring show any problems.
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