Desalination Plant, Wonthaggi Victoria and the role of EPA
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Update 20 September 2009
In early August 2009, the Victorian government announced that AquaSure were to be awarded the contract to build and operate the Victorian Desalination Project. AquaSure comprise of Suez Environment, Degremont Suez, Thiess and Macquarie.
The EPA Works Approval that had previously been issued to DSE was transferred to AquaSure on the 27 August 2009.
EPA will now take a direct role with AquaSure to ensure that all issues relevant to protecting the environment, in accordance with the Works Approval, are addressed and met.
For more information about the Desalination Plant project visit Aquasure website 
Role of EPA
EPA currently has three main roles in confirming the environmental performance of the Desalination Plant:
- ensuring compliance with the Works Approval during the design and building phase of the plant;
- conducting regular inspections of works to ensure they are consistent with environmental standards; and
- responding to any incidents reported by Aquasure or a member of the public.
Compliance with Works Approval during Design and Construction:
EPA is now tasked with ensuring that the approved Works Approval (WA 64404) application, specifically in relation to the Environmental Performance Requirements, are met by AquaSure.
The Works Approval issued by EPA is structured to ensure that each major preparation stage of works, including final plans, specifications and demonstration of environmental performance, is provided to EPA for assessment. EPA has to approve each completed preparation stage of works prior to the commencement of construction of that component of works.
Incident Response:
In the event of a negative environmental incident, Aquasure will be required to report the incident to EPA in a timely manner for appropriate response by EPA.
EPA will also respond to a report made by a member of the public.
Reporting pollution
To make a pollution or incident report phone: |
Operating Licence:
Once constructed, the plant will be required to operate within the requirements of an EPA licence which will include enforcing strict controls on any discharges from the plant:
- An EPA licence will cover the actual operation of the site and set operating conditions as appropriate.
- The licence holder is responsible for ensuring the plant operates in accordance with the terms of the licence issued for the project.
- The Environment Protection Act 1970 specifies penalties for breach of licence conditions, or for operating a site without a licence.
- Further details about EPA licences can be obtained at http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/bus/licences/licences.asp
Background and history
EPA has been responsible for assessing the environmental performance of the proposed desalination plant, since an Environmental Effects Statement was required of DSE at the end of December 2008.
- Download EPA’s submission on the EES for the VDP
(PDF 1.1 MB)
Works Approval:
Before the desalination plant was approved, EPA's role was to determine whether the proposed design met the requirements for the protection of the environment in accordance with the Environment Protection Act 1970.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) were required to submit a Works Approval application under the Environment Protection Act 1970. The Works Approval application was advertised and exhibited jointly with the Environment Effects Statement (EES).
The works approval application comprised a Reference Project, Variations to the Reference Project and a set of Environment Performance Requirements which have been established to ensure environmental protection.
EPA issued Works Approval (WA 64404) to DSE on the 3rd of March, 2009.
- Download the EPA Works Approval (PDF file, 225KB)
Research Development and Demonstration Approval
EPA issued a Research, Development and Demonstration (RDD) for DSE to construct and operate a pilot plant to trial desalination of sea water at Wonthaggi on the 16th October 2008. The RDD approval required DSE to prepare an Environment Management Plan for the trials and meet strict operating and reporting conditions. EPA carefully assessed the environmental impacts of the proposed activities and the nature and duration of the trial.
Under section 19D of the Environment Protection Act 1970 an occupier of a scheduled premises can apply for RDD approval to trial or demonstrate projects, which would otherwise require a works approval.