Victoria’s desalination plant begins construction
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6 October 2009
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Construction of Victoria’s Desalination Project has begun near Wonthaggi. The project is being fast-tracked to ensure it provides up to 150 billion litres of water a year by the end of 2011, securing water supplies for Melbourne, Geelong and towns in Western Port and South Gippsland.
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The project’s tender was awarded in July to AquaSure, consisting of Suez Environnement, Degremont, Thiess and Macquarie Capital Group. AquaSure will oversee the construction and operation of the desalination plant, an 84 kilometre transfer pipeline, underground power and the sourcing of renewable energy.
Morwell based company RTL has been awarded a $10 million contract to undertake the majority of earthworks to excavate around 1.1 million cubic metres of earth.
Water Minister Tim Holding said earthworks began after the approval of an Environment Management Plan and certification by the Independent Reviewer and Environmental Auditor. Current works include excavation of the building site, new wetlands and the construction of access roads and parking bays. Excess soil will be used on site as sound and visual barriers during the remainder of the project.
“The start of construction on Australia’s largest desalination plant is a vital step in delivering our water plan which includes the Sugarloaf Pipeline, the $2 billion investment in irrigation upgrades and key regional water projects”, said Mr Holding.
Construction on the desalination plant’s pipeline will take place later this year and the tunnelling for the intake and outlet pipes will be seen in 2010. More than 65 jobs have been created onsite already as part of the earthworks and AquaSure expects to have 200 people working on site by Christmas. Mr Holding said around 1700 direct jobs and as many as 3050 indirect jobs will be created during construction in a tough global economy.
For more information, visit www.workingvictoria.vic.gov.au.
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