Western Australia’s Water Corporation has postponed its decision on the future location of a major desalination plant intended to secure drinking water supplies for the Lower Great Southern, pushing the announcement into the first quarter of 2026. The delay comes despite earlier commitments to confirm a site before the end of 2025.
The plant is considered critical for meeting the region’s projected water demand by 2030, with modelling showing that existing sources will be unable to keep pace with growth in Albany, Mount Barker, Kendenup, Denmark and surrounding towns. Climate‑driven reductions in rainfall, coupled with population increases, have placed mounting pressure on the Lower Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme.
Location Remains Unsettled After Community Backlash
Selecting a suitable site has proven contentious. An initial option at Frenchman Bay, which would have discharged brine into King George Sound, was abandoned in early 2025 following strong opposition from commercial fishers, aquaculture operators and tourism businesses concerned about environmental impacts on the ecologically sensitive area.
Following that decision, the Water Corporation began assessing two alternative sites near Albany — Nanarup and Sandpatch — both of which have also sparked community concern. An e‑petition calling for Nanarup’s removal from the shortlist has gathered more than 700 signatures, citing cultural significance and recreational value. Residents and local groups have urged the utility to reconsider a broader set of potential locations.
Environmental Concerns Front and Centre
Environmental considerations continue to shape the debate. Experts warn that improperly dispersed brine — a by‑product of desalination — can sink and form dense layers on the seabed, potentially reducing oxygen levels and harming marine ecosystems. These concerns have featured prominently in community discussions surrounding both Nanarup and Sandpatch.
Urgency Rising as Regional Water Sources Tighten
Despite the setbacks, Water Corporation officials stress that the project remains essential for the region’s long‑term viability. Regional Manager Adrian Stewart has emphasized that existing groundwater and surface water sources are already stretched, warning that without a new supply, the community will struggle to sustain future growth.
The utility has acknowledged that no site will be universally welcomed, but maintains that a decision must proceed soon to meet the 2030 deadline for new water infrastructure. Further technical studies and community engagement activities are underway as part of the assessment.
Next Steps
Water Corporation now expects to confirm a final site during the first quarter of 2026. The decision will play a central role in shaping the region’s water security strategy and determining how quickly the project can move into design and construction phases.
(Source: ABC)