Desalination plant is investigated

Umina Beach may get a desalination plant under emergency drought measures.

Umina Oval in Sydney Ave, Woy Woy, is one of four sites currently under investigation as a possible site for a temporary mobile desalination plant, according to Gosford Council.

The other three sites are the grounds of the Kincumber Convent, Humphreys Rd, Kinicumber South, a recreation reserve on Masons Parade, Gosford and a reserve off Webb St, East Gosford.

It was proposed that preliminary site investigations into temporary mobile desalination units should start in Gosford shortly as part of Gosford and Wyong Councils' emergency drought measures, according to a report from council.

A recommendation was made to the Joint Water Authority Board on September 20 and a proposal was referred to the Gosford and Wyong Councils for consideration.

Gosford Mayor Cr Laurie Maher said: "The four sites proposed for Gosford were the next highest ranked out of 23 sites originally identified in a detailed report provided to both Councils by our external engineering consultants.

"If we did have to proceed with the installation of a temporary mobile desalination unit in Gosford it would still be subject to the normal development application processes which allow for public input and comment on the proposed development.

"We understand that many of the local residents in and around these sites will be concerned but these preliminary investigations are designed to find out exactly what impact the units would have on the community and environment.

"Given that three of the four sites in Gosford are estuarine, these investigations will also consider the impact on the local commercial fishing and oyster industries as well as other environmental considerations.

"Another very important factor is proximity to existing houses and local communities.'

Other key factors that will be investigated include the volume of desalinated water that can be generated from a particular location, the size of the site as well as ease of access to existing power supplies and of course sea water.

"By undertaking these investigations now, we can assess the suitability of sites to ensure they fully meet the strict selection criteria," Cr Maher said.

"These preliminary investigations will also help ensure Gosford Council and the local community can make an informed decision should we have to consider installing more temporary desalination units as a last resort."

Gosford Council stated that the aim of the councils in all of the drought contingency work currently being undertaken was to access supplementary water sources and reduce demand to ensure total dam storage levels do not fall below 10 per cent.

Press release, September 18 Kylie Gillett, Gosford Council