Hunter Water has welcomed the announcement that the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has issued planning approval for a permanent desalination plant at Belmont. The state significant infrastructure is crucial in securing the Lower Hunter’s water supply for generations to come.
Hunter Water expects to start building the plant later this year. Once complete, it will add up to 30 million litres per day of rainfall-independent drinking water capacity to Hunter Water’s system, or about 15 per cent of the region’s average daily needs.
Hunter Water Managing Director, Darren Cleary, said the Belmont Desalination Plant is a priority project for Hunter Water to deliver, producing safe and reliable drinking water regardless of changes in weather or climate.
“We can’t rely on rain alone anymore. We know our region’s water storages can fall from typical operating levels to critical levels in less than three years, so if a severe drought continues beyond three years, our region could run out of water,” he said.
“As a critical action in the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan, the Belmont Desalination Plant will be an enduring, integrated and vital part of the Lower Hunter’s water supply system.”
Mr Cleary said the planning approval for a permanent desalination plant has given the region greater certainty of water supply. At the same time, Grahamstown Dam’s storage is temporarily lower to address earthquake-related risks. In July 2024, the top water level in Grahamstown Dam was lowered to around 90 per cent as immediate action to reduce the risks to downstream communities should an earthquake damage the dam.
“With the Belmont Desalination Plant planning approval announced and construction soon to start, Hunter Water has confirmed it is taking further steps to increase community safety downstream of Grahamstown Dam,” Mr Cleary said.
“Our overall maximum storage capacity for all water storages in the region will be 88 per cent, and today it is 90.7 per cent; a healthy position to be in as we enter the warmer, drier months of the year.
“The Belmont Desalination Plant diversifies our water sources, assisting us in managing the region’s water security while Grahamstown Dam’s top water level is reduced.”
Hunter Water anticipates investing $530 million to design and construct the permanent Belmont Desalination Plant, which is expected to take approximately four years to complete.
Image: Hunter Water
