LETTER: Water security in the Hastings/Camden Haven – We must get it right

DEAR Editor,

DURING the past six years Port Macquarie-Hastings Council have been researching two possible systems to ensure security of supply of water in the Hastings/Camden Haven.

These are:-

Construction of a replacement Filtration Plant at Cowarra Dam and a Waste Water Treatment Plant at East Thrumster

The considerably higher output of the new Filtration Plant at Cowarra Dam would enable faster filling of the dam whenever this was required and its greater efficiency would enable pumping from Kooree Island to commence sooner after pollution by bushfires and flood. On completion of the Thrumster Waste Water Treatment Plant in 7 to 8 years the output from there would be re-treated through the Cowarra Filtration System. Despite these innovations the total improvement in the quantity of water supply would be marginal meaning that, in very dry times, restrictions would still have to be applied.

Because this option is not a Renewable Energy project Council have been unable to obtain direct funding, from either the State or Federal Government. Only a small contribution by way of a State Government loan has been obtained meaning that most of the cost of this project will have to be financed by Council borrowing, drawing down on reserve funds and substantial increases to water and sewer fees and charges.

This realization must have been very disappointing for Council but despite this setback they have committed to a contract to build the $153m Cowarra Water Treatment Plant.

A Solar Powered, Reverse Osmosis Desalination system to be installed between Ocean Drive and Cowarra Dam and construction of a replacement Filtration Plant at Cowarra Dam

This second system, examined and researched by Council, would consist of a 21,600 panel Solar Farm situated off Ocean Drive, 7kms south of Port Macquarie CBD, pumping water from the ocean through a Reverse Osmosis Desalination system then, through a new pipeline to Cowarra Dam. A large Battery for storing surplus power to be used if required at night or on sunless days is part of this system.

The new Cowarra Treatment Plant is also included in the system with the total estimated cost for the whole project being $400 million.

Because this is a Renewable Energy project Council can apply to the State and Federal Governments for a large part of the cost of its installation. This could well result in 75% of the total estimated cost of $400m being paid, leaving only $100m having to be paid out of Council’s accumulated revenue.

The very low cost of operation of this plant will result in a quick recovery of this amount and the whole system paying for itself many times over with no increase whatsoever in the cost of rates or water charges.

A very important matter to be considered is how much safer the people of the Hastings/Camden Haven would feel with the Solar Desalination system partnering the existing pumping from Kooree Island system. I am confident that when we consider that we will never again have water restrictions due to drought the answer will be yes.

I do believe that everyone should have their say, in this regard,  by filling out a survey form delivered to every letterbox.

Kind regards,

Mike Dibbs.