[Greens-Media] Desal contract announcement is economic negligence

[John Kaye]

Desal contract announcement is economic negligence 
 
Media Release:  25 June 2007
 
Premier Iemma announced the next step in the construction of the
Kurnell desalination plant despite the complete absence of credible
expert advice that an immediate start is needed, according to Greens NSW
MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: “Premier Iemma and his Water Utilities Minister Nathan
Rees are committing Sydney households to a 250 megalitre a day
desalination plant even though water storage levels are above 50%.
 
“The Iemma government is squandering water consumers’ money on a plant
that could be delayed for at least four years. This is a $1.8 billion
gamble.
 
“Nothing has changed since the original expert advice that said that a
start on constructing the desalination is not needed until storage
levels fall to 30%. 
 
“There has been no new expert report, no new advice and no changes in
technology.
 
“The only thing that has changed is that we now have storages that are
half full. 
 
“The Iemma government is wasting this opportunity to delay this
expensive and polluting plant. They could be using the time to
investigate other ways to manage if storages head back towards the 30%
mark.
 
“It is as silly as buying travel insurance for a trip that you might
want to make in four years time. Apart from the chance that you might
depart, you would be wasting money paying for coverage when you were not
travelling.
 
“The difference is that it is water consumers’ money that the Iemma
government is wasting.
 
“Premier Iemma and Water Utilities Minister Nathan Rees persist in
making the outrageous suggestion that water storage levels are
irrelevant in making this decision..
 
“They are completely ignoring the 2006 Metropolitan Water Strategy and
a raft of expert advice that states the obvious: don’t start building an
expensive plant until we need to,” Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information:John Kaye 0407 195 455
 
----------------------------------
John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: John.Kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000