The Queensland government has finally accepted the handover of the Gold Coast desalination plant, after it overcame problems from faulty bolts, fixtures, intake shafts and storage tanks.
Infrastructure and Planning Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said on Friday the government’s satisfied every problem has been fixed and the fully operational plant at Tugan meets all requirements.
“We said the Queensland government wouldn’t accept handover of this facility until it was completed to world class standards and that is what we have done,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
The plant is an essential part of drought proofing the region, he said.
Since February 2009, the plant has produced more than 28 billion litres of drinking water, but it comes at a price - water produced at the desalination plant costs up to seven times more than dam water.
Mr Hinchliffe has brushed aside criticism that the plant is not needed now the region’s dams are close to capacity.
“Just over three years ago the dams fell to less than 17 per cent,” he said.
“This facility is an insurance policy against this region ever being in that situation again.
“Queenslanders know the possibility of drought is ever present and the plant can produce enough water to meet the needs of more than 665,000 people under current water conservation measures.”
