Caring for the Environment

GCD Alliance is committed to ensuring the Gold Coast Desalination Project meets the highest environmental standards and remains a secure and sustainable water source for South East Queensland.

Over 40 environmental studies have been completed as part of an ‘Environmentally Relevant Activity’ (ERA) application report to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – a study very similar to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The impact assessment, completed and published in December 2006, determined that under GCD Alliance's Construction and Operation Management Plans, there would be negligible environmental harm as a result of project development.

Click HERE for further information on the ERA process.

The ERA report provides the relevant environmental information and assessment to allow the EPA to clearly understand the environmental impact of the various stages and components of the proposed desalination plant project from the early works activities to the operational phase. As part of the ERA assessment which has now been approved, the following studies were conducted:

• Acid Sulphate Soils
• Affected communities
• Air quality
• Dispersion modelling and marine water testing
• Bird management
• Contaminated land
• Cultural heritage
• Marine water quality
• Easement requirement
• Geographical and geotechnical

• Greenhouse Gas Strategy
• Groundwater
• Land use
• Marine ecology
• Noise
• Stormwater management
• Sustainability
• Terrestrial ecology
• Traffic study
• Vegetation management
• Visual amenity

Marine Studies

As part of the project’s ERA environmental and technical investigations, significant marine investigations have been undertaken. These studies include: Salt water dispersion modelling studies undertaken by the GCD Alliance involving scientists from Griffith University and the NSW University of Technology and other industry experts. ‘Near and Far Field’ brine dispersion modelling was used to determine how effectively the salty water will be dispersed in local conditions and what diffuser (diffuses the salty water into the ocean) design would be needed to reduce environmental impacts. marine ecological research and a detailed baseline monitoring studies and; investigations regarding existing seabed ecological and toxicological marine water conditions within the intake and outlet areas.

Energy Investigations

The amount and type of power to be used in the Gold Coast Desalination Project has been a key area of investigation.

The current project design requires about 24.5 mega watts of power to run the plant and associated infrastructure, which is equivalent to each resident in South East Queensland lighting a 40 watt light globe for approximately eight hours a day.

As part of the GCD Alliance’s environmental and technical investigations in 2005 and 2006, a number of power efficiency initiatives were included in the project design.

These included:

• Using gravity water flow systems where possible, choosing power efficient materials and maximising ergonomic efficiencies;
• Applying energy recovery technology in the Reverse Osmosis process to decrease energy use;
• Using variable speed motor pumps to ensure minimum power use;
• Putting flexibility into the plant design to ensure future technology advances can be retrofitted in the future;
• Reducing pump energy needs by designing Marine inlet and outlet tunnels to operate under gravity and
• Using Solar power and Photovoltaic cell (solar energy) technology to power some site lighting and to heat domestic water;
• Using seawater heat exchanges for cooling.

The State Government and Gold Coast City Council have agreed to review all options for power use in the plant when considering power purchase agreements. As a result, the possible use of renewable energy sources; gas-fired electricity; and the purchasing of green energy credits will be considered when negotiating future power purchase agreements.

Project Environment Reports

Introduction pages Context of Project Project Description (8mb) Topography and Geology Soil Report Contaminated Land Report Acid Sulphate Soils Report Ground Water Stormwater Management Air Quality Noise and Vibration Terrestrial Ecology

Marine Environment Land Use and Planning Visual Amenity Cultural Heritage Traffic Waste Management Sustainability References List of Abbreviations Table of Contents Report Summary