Residents living close to a proposed desalination plant at Sleaford Bay have felt their concerns have been listened to, as SA Water confirms the site will be positioned further away from Sleaford Mere and whale aggregation areas.
Sleaford Bay resident David Farlam said over a year of consultations with SA Water had paid off.
"The local Sleaford community is really pleased with the decision from what I can gather," Mr Farlam said.
In 2018, SA Water purchased land at the bay, and identified the site as its preferred location to build a desalination plant that would supply much needed water to the region.
The site was in close proximity to Sleaford Mere Conservation Park and Sleaford Bay, which is a popular whale watching area 22 kilometres south of Port Lincoln.
"The site has been shifted away from the marine sanctuary, and that gives us a lot more breathing space," Mr Farlam said.
Listed species in area
He said his main concern was the potential disruption of groundwater flows to Sleaford Mere Conservation Park.
"The park was set aside because it has a very high value geological formation, which a lot of people refer to as stromatolites," he said.
Mr Farlam said the were also a number of listed species both threatened and endangered that occurred either in the marine park or the associated land adjacent to the marine park.
"These include metallic sun orchids and southern emu wrens which are known to the area.
"If you were going to err on the side of caution, you wouldn't put a desal plant where you have so many listed species close together," Mr Farlam said.
Preferred site to be finalised
A SA Water spokesperson said the department was finalising a preferred site for the desalination plant.
"Following extensive community engagement and further cultural heritage and technical investigations, the final site selection will prioritise minimising impact on native vegetation and visual amenity, good acoustic management, and be positioned further away from Sleaford Mere and whale aggregation areas," the spokesperson said.
"We expect to begin construction of the desalination plant and other associated infrastructure in the first half of 2021."
