- Cook
Labor Government commits $2.8 billion to build Alkimos Seawater Desalination
Plant
- Up to 100-billion-litre
desalination plant to secure drinking water for 2.5 million people
- Works
begin as part of $29.8 million contract to prepare site in Perth's north
- Future
desalination plant designed to protect environment and meet community
expectations
- Project
made possible and supported by WA's strong Budget surplus position
The Cook Labor Government will provide $2.8 billion to secure Perth's
next major source of drinking water, the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant.
Site works have now begun at the location for the future
100-billion-litre seawater desalination plant, heralding a significant
milestone in its delivery.
The new plant, supported using the Budget surplus, is set to be the third
of its kind in Western Australia, and will be adjacent to an existing
wastewater treatment plant on land that is to become known as the Alkimos Water
Precinct.
Georgiou Group has been awarded a $29.8 million contract to prepare the
site for construction, with early works to include sinking of the site into the
landscape and extending a large, vegetated sand dune to shield the plant from
view and create a noise buffer.
The entire contract value will be spent locally, with almost $13 million
directed to WA subcontractors and 14 per cent spent with Aboriginal businesses.
Around 70 local jobs will be created, including opportunities for
apprentices and trainees.
Announced last year, the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant will
support long-term water security for more than 2.5 million Western Australians
who receive drinking water through the Integrated Water Supply Scheme.
The plant will have net-zero greenhouse gas emissions during
construction and operation, and will allow Water Corporation to reduce its
groundwater allocation by 30 billion litres a year – helping to preserve healthy
wetlands, parks, forests and public open spaces in Perth's north.
The project has received environmental
approval from Commonwealth and State regulators, as well as from an independent
Development Assessment Panel.
A contract to design, construct, and operate the plant will be awarded
in early 2024, with the first 50-billion-litre stage scheduled for completion
in 2028.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"This is a significant milestone for a project that is crucial to the
long-term water security of more than 2.5 million Western Australians.
"WA was the first State to introduce large-scale desalination and
continues to be a world leader in the delivery of climate-resilient water
sources.
"The Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant will help to secure long-term
drinking water, support our economy, reduce dependence on groundwater, and meet
the needs of our State's growing population.
"My Government's $2.8 billion investment can be made thanks to our
responsible Budget management, which will help to secure not only Perth's water
supply but the future of those who will call our State home for many years to
come."
Comments attributed to Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"Our strong financial management and the surpluses we're delivering have
meant we've been able to support this desalination plant, which will be the
third of its kind in WA.
"This is an important project for our Government and crucial for the
long-term water security of Western Australians, reflecting the Government's
$2.8 billion commitment toward this priority project."
Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:
"Over the coming months, the site of Perth's next major water source
will begin to take shape, marking the early stages of this significant project
for our growing city.
"We're feeling the effects of climate change right now - it doesn't rain
in Perth like it once did.
"Where we used to receive an average 420 billion litres of rainfall into
Perth dams annually, today it is less than 70 billion litres.
"Unlike other global cities that are facing significant water supply
challenges, Perth has acted to ensure our water supply network is more
resilient to the impacts of climate change.
"This project has been carefully designed to integrate into the
surrounding landscape and, importantly, will have net-zero greenhouse gas
emissions during construction and throughout operation."
Comments attributed to Butler MLA John Quigley:
"This is a huge project for Alkimos and Perth's north, with site works
alone set to create around 70 local jobs and benefit local businesses.
"It is a forward-thinking and innovative project that has been carefully
designed with the protection of the surrounding environment and local community
expectations in mind."
