Environmental protection
The Northern Water desalination plant and pipeline are designed to meet environmental and planning regulatory requirements. Our comprehensive management and controls aim to avoid potential environmental impacts where possible, and to mitigate, manage or offset impacts where they cannot be avoided, so the unique environment of the Upper Spencer Gulf and Far North can continue to thrive. For example, the design of the desalination plant intake and outfall pipelines will be tunnelled to avoid and protect the sand dunes, mangroves, seagrasses and coastal zones.
We're working with Traditional Owners, government agencies, recreational and fishing groups, tourism organisations, conservation groups and the community to help deliver the best solution for South Australia.
Environmental assessments
Image: Two ecologists in high-vis vests look towards the countryside.
Preliminary investigations of the proposed Project indicate that Northern Water will meet State and Commonwealth regulatory requirements. Further environmental assessment is underway as part of planning and environmental assessment of the Project through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This assessment will formally evaluate the Project's potential environmental, social and economic benefits and risks, aiming to avoid impacts where possible and to minimise, manage or offset unavoidable impacts to the Upper Spencer Gulf's unique inverse estuary and the sensitive terrestrial environments of the Far North.
We are working with leading technical experts to ensure robust, best-practice scientific evidence, modelling and data collection inform our design in both the terrestrial and marine environments. Experts from the Adelaide University, the University of New South Wales and the CSIRO are peer-reviewing our marine modelling, design and assessments.
Consultation to inform Project outcomes
To support informed decision making, we meet regularly with our Stakeholder Reference Group, which includes representatives from the community, commercial and recreational fishing industry groups, government agencies, landscape boards, local government and conservation groups.
We are also working closely with the Traditional Owners - the Barngarla and Kokatha Peoples - to incorporate their knowledge and understanding of Country into the Project. Insights will continue to be gathered throughout each phase to ensure diverse perspectives inform project outcomes.