Smart alliancing provides water security
- The AquaSure consortium was awarded the construction and operation of Australia’s largest desalination plant
- Awarded in July 2009 in a climate of economic uncertainty and critical water shortages the consortium provided certainty of on-time delivery, price, environmental management and community involvement
- The Degrémont-Thiess Services Joint Venture will operate and maintain the plant for the remainder of the 30-year project term
The AquaSure consortium including Thiess, Suez Environnement, Degrémont and Macquarie Capital Group was awarded the tender for the project in July 2009. This includes construction and operation of the desalination plant, an 84 kilometre transfer pipeline, plus the construction of underground power and sourcing of renewable energy.
In a climate of economic uncertainty and critical water shortages, AquaSure’s bid provided the certainty that the Government and people of Victoria needed – certainty of on-time delivery, price, environmental management and community involvement. The Victorian Desalination Project will provide up to 150 billion litres of water each year to Melbourne and regional communities from the end of 2011.
In response to community concerns about the visual impact of the plant on the coastline, the desalination plant has been designed to be barely visible from all public viewing points. The design concept is based on a ‘green line’ that runs through the site, changing form and content as it moves from a natural landscape element to a constructed dune formation, a living green roof, a footprint encompassing buildings and ultimately, a restored landscape. The plant will have a very small footprint, taking up just 38 hectares of the 263 hectare site.
The remaining 225 hectares will become the focus of one of the largest ecological restoration projects in Victoria’s history, complete with wetlands, coastal and swampy woodlands, and a new habitat for local fauna. Indigenous vegetation cleared over the years to make way for mining and grazing will be reinstated and more than eight kilometres of pedestrian, cycling and horse riding paths will link the plant site to existing community trails.
Following construction and commissioning of the plant, the Degrémont-Thiess Services Joint Venture will operate and maintain the plant for the remainder of the 30-year project term. About 1,700 direct jobs and as many as 3,050 indirect jobs are currently being created during construction.
