District Council of Cleve, Media Release, 23 November 2021

The immediate need for the development of a Desalination Plant on the Eyre Peninsula was fully supported by the District Council of Cleve at its November Council meeting.

However, the Council also decided that it does not support SA Water’s proposed location of Billy Light’s Point in Boston Bay, Port Lincoln.

“We have 2000km of coastline on the Eyre Peninsula, and I am confident that a suitable location for the desalination plant can be found” said Mayor Phil Cameron.

“A location that does not pose risk to local industry and community”.

The District Council of Cleve agrees that a desalination plant is urgently needed to ensure long term water security for the region.

However locating the facility within the bay areas of Port Lincoln would create irreversible risks to the marine environment and the iconic tourism, fishing, and export industries it supports.

“Whilst finding a suitable location outside of bay areas within SA Water’s original budget estimate may be a challenge, it must be investigated to secure both the future of our water supply and the aquaculture industry” urged Mayor Cameron.

The District Council of Cleve will be asking the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association to support the Council’s views on this important issue.