Eyre Peninsula desalination project

Progress continues across multiple fronts of the Eyre Peninsula desalination project.

SA Power Networks has begun cable installation from the Port Lincoln substation to Billy Lights Point, including works along key streets and near the wastewater treatment plant, with traffic management and some night works planned.

On site, early works include temporary fencing, vegetation clearance, and the setup of site access and facilities to prepare for major construction. Design of the transfer pipeline to the Northside Hill storage tanks is well advanced, with geotechnical investigations completed to support the route. Community engagement remains a priority, with recent outreach at local events and ongoing efforts to promote water security and efficiency.

View the latest project update for more details.

Works are underway to connect the Eyre Peninsula desalination facility to the local electricity network, including underground cabling and overhead powerline installation across several Port Lincoln streets.

Construction will run from May to December 2025, with some night works and traffic impacts expected. SA Power Networks is working to minimise disruptions, and affected residents will be notified directly.

For more detail, view the full project update.

Early works continue with several activities progressing as planned. Logs have been relocated for wildlife habitat at Uley South, temporary fencing is in place, and vegetation clearance is advancing, including along St Andrews Drive between the desalination plant and the wastewater treatment plant. Design for the Marine Intake Pump Station entrance is ongoing, with efforts to minimise vegetation removal. A site office and staff amenities will also be established at the wastewater treatment plant to support efficient daily operations.

Alongside early works, local schools and the broader community have been actively engaged through a range of educational and outreach activities. Nearly 140 students from two Port Lincoln schools recently participated in interactive sessions on desalination, following the Water Detectives live show as part of the Our Water, Our Future program. Meanwhile, SA Power Networks will soon begin trenching works to connect power to the plant site, with activities scheduled to run from late April/early May through July. Meanwhile, the Water Security Roadshow wrapped up in Port Lincoln, sharing updates on water restrictions, available rebates for efficient appliances, and long-term plans to secure the region's drinking water supply, while encouraging sustainable water use and ongoing community involvement.

For more details, view the April 2025 project update.

Early works for the Eyre Peninsula desalination project are progressing, with vegetation clearance underway along St Andrews Drive and preparations for the Marine Intake Pump Station (MIPS) continuing. A site office is being set up to support ongoing activities, and Marina residents have received project updates via a letterbox drop. Locals are encouraged to sign up for notifications to stay informed about construction updates.

To support biodiversity, over 200 salvaged logs are being repurposed as wildlife habitats at Uley South. The Water Security team is engaging with communities through pop-up sessions and local events to share water-saving measures. Meanwhile, the Port Lincoln Project Information Centre has transitioned into a Project Delivery Office to assist the public. For more details, view the March 2025 project update.

Early works for the project are being completed in stages, with Stage 1 now completed and Stage 2 set to begin in late February or March 2025.

Stage 1 included the removal of waste (303 vehicle tyres and 13 tonnes of general waste), environmental testing and clearing vegetation for site security.

Stage 2 will involve further vegetation clearing, relocation of logs for wildlife habitat, and construction of a new access road to the wastewater treatment plant site. A site office will also be established. Some traffic management will be needed on St Andrews Drive which may result in some minor delays for those travelling to the Billy Lights Point Boat ramp.

What’s next

Construction of the desalination plant and Marine Intake Pump Station (MIPS) is expected to begin in late March, while the transfer pipeline construction is not expected to start before mid-2025.

For more details, view the February 2025 project update.

With development approval granted, we are ready to proceed with some initial works, which are expected to begin before Christmas.

These initial works include:

• Fence installation

• Rubbish removal from the site

• Site investigations.

Once approval for native vegetation clearance is obtained, further works will occur early next year. This will include:

• Localised vegetation clearance

• Construction of access roads to the sites.

The majority of the initial works will take place Monday to Saturday, between 7:30am and 5:00pm, weather permitting.

The government has announced the approval of the Development Application for the Eyre Peninsula desalination plant at Billy Lights point with conditions. This is a significant step forward in ensuring long-term water security for the region.

The Development approval follows extensive review and assessment by various government agencies and regulators to ensure comprehensive scrutiny of all the aspects of the project.

Once operational, the desalination plant will provide reliable, climate-independent water source for the Eyre Peninsula, supplementing the Uley South groundwater supply and ensuring water security for the region into the future.

Now that a development approval has been granted, we are in a position to progress other aspects of the project including commencement of early site works.

In addition to progressing the desalination plant as the solution to water security for the region, last week SA Water released our EP Water Security Response Plan, which includes moving to level 2, voluntary water-wise measures. This encourages our customers to adopt more efficient water use practices. As part of the water security response plan, from Monday 2 December, eligible customers on the Eyre Peninsula will be able to access rebates for select water efficient appliances and fixtures, helping to reduce water consumption both inside and outside the home. The water security response plan takes a responsible approach to preparing for all scenarios to maintain water supply to our 35,000 local customers until the desalination plant is operational.

We remain committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the desalination project delivers water security with minimal impact to the surrounding environment.

Early site preparation works are planned to begin before the end of the year, with the first water from the plant expected to be delivered by mid-2026.

As part of this important water security initiative for the Eyre Peninsula, a transfer pipeline that will transport water from the plant to the North Side Hill tanks will be constructed. To inform its design, soil investigations and service location works will be undertaken by our contractor Leed Engineering between the hours of 7am and 5pm, from Monday 21 October through to Friday 25 October, weather permitting.

All work will occur along the proposed pipeline corridor and within the approved easement and council owned road reserve. You can expect to see a work crew, excavator, work vehicles and traffic management at various locations along the route shown in the map below.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss these works in more detail, please contact us directly on 0477 448 544 or at epdesal@sawater.com.au.

The Development Application process is underway, and we anticipate that a public hearing will be conducted by the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) in November. Specific details about this activity will be provided by Planning and Land Use Services (PLUS). The project team is currently preparing a response document to address the public submissions received during the public notification period and the agency and council referral comments. In parallel, the design process is ongoing to allow for engagement with suppliers.

Overall, the Project remains on track for construction to commence in the first quarter of next year subject to us gaining approval of the Development Application, satisfying any conditions attached to an approval and obtaining the other necessary approvals.

Our Development Application (DA) for the Eyre Peninsula desalination project has been officially lodged with the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP).

This marks a significant milestone towards delivering a climate-independent source of drinking water to the Eyre Peninsula by mid-2026.

Our submission is the result of extensive technical detailed studies and valuable feedback from stakeholders resulting in key design changes to minimise environmental impacts. The DA includes detailed information on the proposed construction design, location of the intake and outfall pipelines, as well as findings of technical studies.

Moving forward, our DA will undergo thorough evaluation by various government agencies and regulators to ensure comprehensive scrutiny of all the aspects of the project.

Public consultation is being led independently by SCAP with the plans available online via their webpage and hard copies available at various locations:

• State Planning Commission: Level 9, 83 Pirie Street, Adelaide
• City of Port Lincoln: L1, Civic Centre, Tasman Tce.
• District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula: 32 Railway Tce, Cummins
• The SA Water Project Information Centre: 6/50 Liverpool Street Port Lincoln

Members of the community are invited to make submissions in writing to the State Planning Commission before Thursday 25 July 2024, outlining any specific matters the planning authority should consider in the assessment of the proposal.