A site 20km south of Whyalla has been chosen as the preferred location for the proposed Northern Water desalination plant in South Australia.
Mullaquana Station, which saves around 200km of pipeline, was selected because of its economic potential, and because it best balances social and environmental risks and opportunities.
The desalination plant is set to support increased production of water-intensive copper at BHP’s mining operations in South Australia. The state holds nearly 70 per cent of Australia’s copper reserves.
Mullaquana Station was up against Cape Hardy on the eastern Eyre Peninsula, with the former’s selection marking a critical milestone for the Northern Water project, paving the way for project planning, procurement and statutory assessment activities to take place.
Two groups are vying to develop the desalination plant, with the WaterConnector consortia comprised of Acciona Construction Australia and Acciona Agua Australia, and the Watermark consortia comprised of Clough Project Australia, Fisia Italimpianti SpA, CPB Contractors and Sacyr Water.
Both holding vast experience in working on Australian and international desalination projects, the WaterConnector and Watermark consortia will now be tasked with providing detailed bids into the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Northern Water desalination plant.
It comes after 40 companies responded to an initial registration of interest, with several consortia shortlisted to submit formal expressions of interest.
Identifying the desired developer will underpin a final investment decision expected in the 2026–27 financial year.
“This is a massive milestone for the Northern Water project and, potentially, a massive milestone for Whyalla,” SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
“If green-lit, Northern Water will support South Australia’s strategic mineral industries, including magnetite for steel production and copper expansion at Olympic Dam, Oak Dam and Carrapateena.
“My government’s intervention has ensured the Whyalla steelworks could not only be saved, but be given the opportunity to thrive – and this new water supply is poised to become the next big opportunity for the Upper Spencer Gulf region.”
Subscribe to Pump Industry to discover all the latest industry news, technical articles and thought-leading content from Australia’s only dedicated pump magazine.
