Home
Document Actions
Desal pipeline planning approval is a done deal
Wednesday 17 October 2007
The massive pipeline under Botany Bay linking the Kurnell desalination plant to Sydney Water’s network will inevitably be approved by the Iemma government, regardless of appalling environmental impacts, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Commenting on a story on page 2 of today’s Daily Telegraph, Dr Kaye said: “The integrity of the planning process is in tatters.
“The NSW government signed the contracts to build and operate the Kurnell desalination plant before completing the environmental assessment of the pipeline connecting it to the water supply system.
“Despite serious concerns that the massive trench under Botany Bay will devastate the marine environment, Planning Minister Frank Sartor cannot reject the development application.
“Gouging a 48 metre wide by 4 metre deep trench into the sea floor of Botany Bay is playing Russian roulette with the entire ecosystem.
“If Minister Sartor did reject the application for the pipeline, the $1 billion Kurnell plant would be isolated and unable to supply water.
“Sydney households would pay for building the plant as well as the costs of the operator, Veolia.
“Despite the inevitability of stirring up toxic deposits on sea floor of Botany Bay and devastating damage to the seagrass beds, the Planning Minister will have no choice but to approve the pipeline.
“The people of Sydney can have no confidence in a planning process that is being carried out under massive economic pressure on the consent authority.
“The Iemma government has panicked itself into signing the desalination contracts without having found an environmentally acceptable route for the trench under Botany Bay.
“Community groups around Botany Bay have good reason to be angry with Water Utilities Minister Nathan Rees and Premier Iemma who have undermined any confidence in the planning process,” Dr Kaye said.
