Council is seeking to modify the existing planning approval for the possible construction of a drought response desalination plant adjacent to Toukley Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). This will involve amending the existing DA which includes an intake structure on Budgewoi Beach to a direct ocean intake structure off the coast between Jenny Dixon Beach, Noraville and Pelican Point Beach, Magenta. This is our insurance policy in case of unprecedented drought conditions.

From 8 February and 7 March 2021, Council sought community feedback on plans to modify the development assessment for the drought response desalination plant at Toukley.

The community are invited to:

• View the Draft Drought Response Desalination Plant Project Summary
• View the Frequently Asked Questions available below

Council has been developing a project to implement drought response infrastructure in the form of a desalination plant on the Coast for many years. Studies since 2005 have supported the construction of a desalination plant and associated infrastructure adjacent to the existing Toukley Sewage Treatment Plant.

The initial proposed location of the intake structure for the plant was on Budgewoi Beach utilising a horizontal collector well intake design. A constructability assessment of this proposed model revealed a number of potential risks and associated construction challenges. As a result, this model and intake structure is not favoured.

The preferred model would utilise a conventional direct ocean intake located approximately 1000m off the coast, between Jenny Dixon Beach, Noraville and Pelican Point Beach, Magenta. Using this known and proven technology would pose fewer construction challenges and would result in significantly lower costs to construct.

In order to modify the existing planning approval, undertaking a series of studies including intake location, water quality, marine monitoring, marine hazard, ecology impact assessment and EIS documentation.