Vic: Govt to assess environmental impact of proposed desalination plant

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2007
Vic: Govt to assess environmental impact of proposed desalination plant

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP - The Victorian government will prepare a report on the environmental
impact of a proposed desalination plant on the state's south-east coast, Planning Minister
Justin Madden said today.

Mr Madden said preliminary environmental reports showed there was a need to investigate
any potential loss of native vegetation and impacts on the landscape, flora, fauna and
marine life, through an Environmental Effects Statement (EES).

But he ruled out preparing an EES for the north-south Sugarloaf pipeline, designed
to pump water from the state's north to Melbourne.

Instead, the community will have the opportunity to comment on an impact assessment
report on the project.

Public submissions would also be invited from the community on the desalination plant
and public hearings could also be held, Mr Madden said.

"I would expect that as in similar EES processes, that we could expect public hearings
as well," Mr Madden told reporters.

"These two important state projects are critical for the state's water supply."

The $3.1 billion desalination plant will provide 150 billion litres of water each year
for Victorians.

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KEYWORD: WATER VIC

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