Premier defends desalination plant ...

Controversy south of the border as well ....

Premier defends desalination plant

NSW Premier Morris Iemma has come to the defence of his government's planned desalination plant after it was revealed the former head of Sydney Water criticised the proposal in 2003.

A December 2003 letter from Greg Robertson to then utilities minister Frank Sartor said there were cheaper and more efficient options to secure Sydney's water supply than a desalination plant.

Despite the advice, the Government decided to build a $1.3-billion desalination plant at Kurnell in southern Sydney to remove salt from sea water for domestic consumption.

Mr Iemma today said dam levels had dropped since 2003, making the decision to build a desalination plant necessary.

"Dam levels are 20 per cent lower and we know that with climate change our droughts are getting longer, we know also with climate change our weather patterns have changed," he said.
"Sydney needs to access a new source of water."

Mr Iemma said there were about 7000 desalination plants in 100 countries.

"Desalination gives us a new guaranteed water and it doesn't mean that we have to cross our fingers or pray for rain," he said.

See - Premier defends desalination plant.