THIS is the first clear glimpse of the massive scale of the construction
work for the state's $1.76 billion water desalination plant at Kurnell.
Earth works to prepare the controversial site,
south of Botany Bay, have been under way for
several months.
The State Government commissioned the
plant during the height of the drought, saying
would help solve Sydney's future drinking water
shortage problems.
But critics say the plant, due for completion in
2009,
is no longer needed, with recent rains having
raised dam levels.
Scientists and environmental groups warn that
creatures in the bay will be threatened if a
proposed undersea pipeline gets final approval.
Construction and operation of the plant would
threaten smaller creatures such as sponges, giant cuttlefish and weedy seadragons. The noise might force migrating whales further out to sea.
Sydney Water is "finetuning" the pipeline route.
The pipeline would allow desalinated water from the
plant to be delivered to the main supply. The plant is expected to produce
250 million litres of drinkable water a day.
A Sydney Water spokesman said the impact on
the marine environment had been "deemed to be
minimal".
Environmental scientists are not convinced.
Jane Williamson, a Macquarie University lecturer
in biological sciences, is concerned about the effect the pipeline might
have on the rich diversity of marine animal and plant life.
"People think of Botany Bay as a bit of a wasteland
but it really isn't," Dr Williamson said.
Juvenile nurseries of fish and associated fauna
live in remnant patches of seagrass, she said. "Two types of seagrass occur
around there - one that recovers quickly and one that takes a long time to
recover. This will be fairly impacted."
Dr Williamson said the area around the plant's
outlet tunnel, which would be used to deposit waste water after the
desalination process, could also be affected.
"There is a rocky reef with a really diverse range
of invertebrates such as weedy seadragons. Effluent would be dispersed at
this site that will have warm saline water that will be highly turbid with
increased nutrients."
A number of sea urchin species could "be wiped
out", she said.
"The other problem is the dredging associated with
attaching the pipeline to the sea floor. It could resuspend sediments, stir
them all up. There could be historic industrial waste that could cause
transient pollution events."
A protest against the plant will take place on
September 12.
Protest organisers say a desalination plant is not
required, particularly now dam water levels have risen to close to 60per
cent capacity. They say work should stop.
Botany Bay and Catchment Alliance spokesman Gary
Blaschke said animals were facing pressure from projects including the
expansion of Port Botany as well as the laying of a high voltage power cable
across the Botany Bay heads for EnergyAustralia.
Long time between drinks
- October 2004: Proposal for
desalination plant announced as drought worsens and dam levels fall.
- July 2005: Kurnell announced as site for plant.
- February 2006: Plans put on backburner when two
underground aquifers are discovered, boosting Sydney's water supply.
- November 2006: Development application for plant
is approved by Planning Minister Frank Sartor as dams drop to 39per cent
capacity.
- February 2007: Two consortiums asked to tender
for plant construction.
- Late May 2007: Public submissions for plant
close. Some early site work begins.
- June 2007: Bluewater consortium announced as
builder. Premier Morris Iemma announces plant's capacity will be 250million
litres a day.
- August 2007: Construction work begins. Completion
expected by 2009.
