Salt in the wound?
Money Matters Poster
What is this?
'Salt in the wound' is about a desalination plant on Victoria's south east coast, near Wonthaaggi, costing nearly $3 billion . Why? To ensure Melbourne survives future droughts, generating 150 billion litres of water each year. It will be the largest plant in Australia, making up a third of the annual water supply.
Desalination is the process of removing impurities such as salt from seawater to produce fresh water. The impurities removed are pumped back into the ocean.
Economic Benefits
This will create up to 4750 full-time jobs during construction and 150 full-time jobs during operation. $1 billion boost to Victoria's economy during construction and increased spending in local areas by the workforce.
Enviromental Concerns
People think it's too expensive and that it's high energy demands will force fossil fuels to be used which will create carbon dioxide, which contributes to the greenhouse effect. The discharge from the plant, salt and other mixed chemicals, might damage the local ecosystem, perhaps eliminating species from the area. It should be used as a last resort.
How was the decision made?
It was made as a Collective decison by the government. The different people involved where Steve Bracks and Peter Garret (the current premier).