SA: Labor pledges funds for desalination plant

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2007
SA: Labor pledges funds for desalination plant

KEVIN RUDD says Labor will commit 160 million dollars .. to help fund a desalination
plant on South Australia's Spencer Gulf.

The opposition leader's described the proposed plant as an important project .. and
a practical step to water shortages in the region.

The plant is to be built by BHP Billiton .. primarily to service the expansion of the
company's Olympic Dam uranium mine in the state's far north.

But it'll also supply fresh water to the South Australia's upper Spencer Gulf and the
Eyre Peninsula .. including the major regional towns of Port Augusta and Whyalla.

About 22 gigalitres of water .. or one third of the plant's annual capacity .. will
be diverted for domestic use .. reducing demand for water currently pumped from the Murray.

Mr RUDD says Labor's commitment will match the 160 million dollars already promised
by the South Australian government.

AAP RTV tjd/tm/bart

KEYWORD: DESALINATION (ADELAIDE)

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