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Government releases white paper: "Our Water, Our Future: The Next Stage of the Government's Water Plan"
In June 2007, the Victorian Government released Our Water Our Future: The Next Stage of the Government's Water Plan, which incorporated the plan for desalination. -
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Desalination plant dates of events
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Plan to build Desalination Plant on coast near Wonthaggi announced
As part of this Plan, the Victorian Government announced on 19 June 2007 its intention to develop a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant on the coast near Wonthaggi to augment Melbourne's water supply, as well as other regional supply systems. -
EES for desalination plant begins
Victorian Minister of Planning, Justin Madden, determines that the project would require assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978. preparations for an Environment Effects Statement (EES) begin. -
compulsary acquisition notices sent out
All residents of Wonthaggi area near the proposed desalination site receive notices of compulsary acquisition. -
First protest against plant
150 people protest against the plant in Spring Street and the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne. -
Final scoping requirements for the EES issued
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24 hour picket begins
The 24 hour picket that went on to last for 6 weeks began in late May, at the proposed desalination site. -
DSE ends 6 week long picket.
Department of Sustainability and Environment prevent access for the van that the community was using as a hub for its 24-hour picket line, ending the 6 week 24-hour picket. -
EES on desalination plant released for public comment
Environment Effects Statement (EES) released for the public to comment on by the State Government. The community was given 5 weeks to submit responses to the 1600-page report. -
Legal costs settled between Your Water Your Say action group and the State Government
Peter Garrett settles costs via consultation. As state government is yet to respond to consultation, YWYS has since been forced to disband. -
Pilot Desalination plant begins
A pilot desalination plant, approved by Justin Madden, came into effect -
Water storages bottom out
Victorian Water storages at a low of around twenty six per cent -
opposing petition submitted to Victorian Parliament
a petition of 3,000 signatories opposing the plant is presented to the Victorian Parliament. -
AQUASURE announced as winning bidder for construction
Aquasure will construct the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant. -
construction commences
Wonthaggi Desalination Plant is underway -
North South Pipeline started
first sections of the North South Pipeline were laid. -
Victorian Water storages exceed 40%
Victorian catchments are convincingly over 40% full for the first time since 2006. -
end of drought
Many regions around the state are flooded for the first time since the drought began in the late 1990's, prompting many to define the end of the drought. -
environmental management requirements placed on Aquasure
EPA Victoria has placed several environmental management requirements on AquaSure. Recent inspections had revealed high volumes of acid sulphate soils which had been disturbed, several onsite water bodies with high acidity and potential for substantial runoff from the site, which could change the condition of the receiving waters. -
Wonthaggi Desalination Plant, ready?
Production and related operations of desalination plant expected to commence by end of 2011
