The Hon. Sam Telfer, Shadow Minister for Regional Population Growth (SA) and Member for Flinders, The Hon. Nicola Centofanti, Shadow Minister for Water Resources and the River Murray (SA), Joint Media Release, 22 August 2022

Labor will put the future of the Eyre Peninsula at risk if it does not seriously consider the recommendations of the independent Eyre Peninsula Desalination Plant Site Selection Committee.

The 22-member Committee – Chaired by former Member for Flinders Peter Treloar and comprising key local stakeholders from industry, local government and the wider community – was established under the previous Liberal government to explore potential alternative sites for the planned Eyre Peninsula desalination plant.

At the time the Committee was formed, there were serious environmental and economic concerns raised by industry and the local community about the proposed plant location at Billy Lights Point.

The Committee has now handed down its recommendations, which includes a new proposed site located at Sleaford Bay.

“This has been an enormous effort, and I commend and congratulate the Committee and its Chair for reaching their recommendation that balances environmental, social, technical, cultural and economic criteria,” Shadow Minister for Regional Population Growth and Member for Flinders Sam Telfer said. 

“The number one priority with this project is improving water security and quality in our region, but we also know how important it is to the local community that a location for a new desalination facility is environmentally and socially acceptable.”

Minister for Water Susan Close has not yet provided support for the Committee’s recommended site, and has failed to rule out the desalination plant being built at the hugely unpopular Billy Lights Point site.

“The Committee’s range of expertise and local knowledge has added tremendous value to the project. It is essential that they, and this independent and robust process, are given the respect they deserve,” Mr Telfer said.

Shadow Minister for Water Resources and the River Murray Nicola Centofanti called on Susan Close not to play politics with the water security on Eyre Peninsula.

“The Malinauskas Labor Government has already made a bad habit of captain’s calls and ignoring advice that’s not their own,” Mrs Centofanti said.

“Susan Close must put politics aside and seriously consider the plant’s location at the Sleaford Bay location identified by the Committee.

“The Minister should already be exploring additional funding options – including through the Australian Government’s National Water Grid fund – for any potential additional costs of construction at this site, including inflationary costs.

“This is one of the most significant projects for SA Water in the next few years. It’s a critical project for the State’s economy, and so important that we get it right.”