Toukley Desalination Plant Proposal

Central Coast Council has commenced the next stage of planning for the proposed Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant, a key drought response project that would help secure the region’s drinking water supply in times of severe and prolonged drought. The proposed plant would be built next to the existing Toukley Wastewater Treatment Plant but only constructed if needed during a future drought. Council is currently progressing concept design and environmental investigations to ensure the project is ‘plan ready’ should water supplies ever be critically at risk. Desalination is removing salt from seawater to produce drinking water, and would provide a rainfall-independent water source, strengthening the region’s water resilience and supporting a growing population. Council Director of Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said planning now gives us time later. The desalination plant is a key option in the Central Coast Water Security Plan, which was developed in consultation with the community. The facility would be capable of producing up to 30 million litres of drinking water per day using seawater drawn from the ocean and treated on-site before entering the water supply network. Council is currently preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and undertaking detailed studies, including marine and geotechnical investigations. As part of this process, two potential locations are being assessed for a below ground pumping station to connect the offshore intake pipe to the desalination plant. These locations, near Jenny Dixon Beach and Pebbly Beach, have been shortlisted based on initial desktop analysis considering cost, constructability, community/social impact, environment, heritage and in particular, reducing the impact to the beaches themselves. Biodiversity surveys will be undertaken for approximately one week from mid-August. The project has already evolved in response to community feedback with improvements including moving the ocean intake further offshore to reduce impacts on local beaches. For more information, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au and search ‘Toukley Desalination Plant’.