Published Sunday, 22 April, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
DESALINATION CENTRE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Anna Bligh has issued an open invitation to the Smart State’s latest tourist attraction – the Gold Coast Desalination Alliance’s Information Centre.
Ms Bligh today officially opened the Information Centre, which is adjacent to the $1.2 billion desalination plant under construction at Tugun.
She said the centre would demystify desalination with a host of information on the reverse osmosis process, the complex tunnelling operation required and the distribution pipeline that will link the plant to the SEQ Water Grid.
Visitors also can read environmental studies and scientific research on the desalination operation.
“It’s a bit of a quirky addition to the Gold Coast’s world-class line-up of tourist attractions but it’s fascinating nonetheless,” Ms Bligh said.
“Best of all, it’s free and offers a great chance for people to have their questions about desalination answered in person by GCDA staff.”
Ms Bligh said the desalination plant was a crucial, rainfall-independent component of the State Government’s $7-9 billion South East Queensland Water Grid, the largest urban drought-response package in Australia’s history.
“The grid’s drought-proofing measures include the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme, the Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong dams and a network of pipelines that allow water to be pumped across SEQ where it is needed,’’ she said.
“The desalination plant will add 125ML a day to our drinking supplies when it is fully operational in January 2009. That’s almost a fifth of SEQ’s daily needs without relying on a drop of rain.”
The Information Centre is near the corner of Boyd St and Coolangatta Rd. From tomorrow, it will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays from 8am-5pm. Extra visiting hours are available on Thursdays (7.30am-6pm). Call 1300 366 692 to arrange group bookings.
More information: Scott Dixon, Deputy Premier’s Office, 0448 614420
Ms Bligh today officially opened the Information Centre, which is adjacent to the $1.2 billion desalination plant under construction at Tugun.
She said the centre would demystify desalination with a host of information on the reverse osmosis process, the complex tunnelling operation required and the distribution pipeline that will link the plant to the SEQ Water Grid.
Visitors also can read environmental studies and scientific research on the desalination operation.
“It’s a bit of a quirky addition to the Gold Coast’s world-class line-up of tourist attractions but it’s fascinating nonetheless,” Ms Bligh said.
“Best of all, it’s free and offers a great chance for people to have their questions about desalination answered in person by GCDA staff.”
Ms Bligh said the desalination plant was a crucial, rainfall-independent component of the State Government’s $7-9 billion South East Queensland Water Grid, the largest urban drought-response package in Australia’s history.
“The grid’s drought-proofing measures include the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme, the Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong dams and a network of pipelines that allow water to be pumped across SEQ where it is needed,’’ she said.
“The desalination plant will add 125ML a day to our drinking supplies when it is fully operational in January 2009. That’s almost a fifth of SEQ’s daily needs without relying on a drop of rain.”
The Information Centre is near the corner of Boyd St and Coolangatta Rd. From tomorrow, it will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays from 8am-5pm. Extra visiting hours are available on Thursdays (7.30am-6pm). Call 1300 366 692 to arrange group bookings.
More information: Scott Dixon, Deputy Premier’s Office, 0448 614420