Flinders MP, Sam Telfer, has called on the State Government to hold a public meeting with officials from the SA Research and Development Institute, over the controversial Billy Lights Point desalination plant site.
SA Water named the site near Port Lincoln as its preferred plant location earlier this month; a decision that has been controversial, especially among the local aquaculture industry, who staged a protest in late 2021 over the location.
After the decision, Minister for Environment and Water, Susan Close, said SA Water is committed to working with stakeholders within the aquaculture industry, to ensure the design of Billy Lights Point does not affect their industry.
In a statement, Mr Telfer says the site selection committee has made a recommendation of a location at Sleaford West, yet the perspective has been rejected by both the Minister and SA Water, and it’s only fair SARDI presents to the Eyre Peninsula community the scientific reasoning behind that.
Ms. Close says if Sam Telfer and the Liberal Party want SA Water customers to fork out an extra $150 million despite a comprehensive scientific report saying there is no need to, then they should be up front with the South Australian public.
She says SA Water has chosen Billy Lights Point because it best meets all the criteria to deliver water security needs of the region now and into the future and is the most cost-effective and timely water security solution for the people of Eyre Peninsula.
Photo: Eyre Peninsula Broadcasters
