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Victorian Desalination Project Community Liaison Group
Minutes from Meeting Number 15 on 20 January 2011
Date:
Thursday 20 January 2011
Location:
City of Casey Council Offices
Present:
John Nicol (Chair)
Mandi Zonneveldt (DSE ‐ Secretary)
Natalie Haynes (DSE)
John Ridley (AquaSure) Chris Herbert (AquaSure)
Steve Burns (Thiess Degrémont)
Serena Middleton (Thiess Degrémont)
Karen Lee (Thiess Degrémont)
Cr Peter Paul (Bass Coast Shire)
Cr Veronica Dowman (Bass Coast Shire)
Neville Goodwin (Bass Coast Community Representative)
Ian Anderson (Cardinia Community Representative)
Cr Stuart Halligan (Cardinia Council)
Sonia Rappell (City of Casey)
Cameron Tonkin (Thiess Degrémont Nacap)
Serena Middleton (Thiess Degrémont)
Apologies:
Peter Sammut (DSE) Chloe Munro (AquaSure)
Cr Geoff Ablett (City of Casey) Louisa McPhee (AquaSure)
Meeting opened at 10.00am
1.
Welcome / Introductions / Apologies
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The Chair welcomed everyone to the 15 Community Liaison Group (CLG) meeting. He
thanked Casey Council for the use of their council rooms. The Chair then introduced the
group’s new members, Cr Veronica Dowman and Cr Stuart Halligan.
2.
Minutes of previous meeting
Minutes adopted as drafted.
3.
DSE update
DSE Secretary Mandi Zonneveldt provided an update of the team’s activities. About 91 per cent
of the 125 landowners affected to the pipeline and/or power supply easement have received
advances or settled compensation.
Ms Zonneveldt explained that for the month of December there were no non‐compliances or areas
for improvement reported by the Independent Reviewer and Environmental Auditor (IREA). There
were two observations, both of which were minor:
Inspections of Williamsons Beach were not undertaken during the Christmas shutdown (IREA
noted that these inspections were not a requirement of the Environmental Management Plan,
but was a ‘commendable initiative’ undertaken by TDJV).
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A refuelling truck was filled outside the provided bunded area.
Mr Herbert noted that the performance of the environment team had been exemplary over the
past three months and thanked the IREA for its continued hard work.
Ms Zonneveldt informed members that no questions were tabled at the November meeting and
no questions had been tabled at the January meeting. She explained the process of tabling
questions to the new members. Any questions and responses that are received at future
meetings will continue to be posted to the DSE website at
http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/programs/desalination/community/community‐liaison‐ group.
Ms Zonneveldt noted the election of the new Government in November. She said there had been
a lot of media coverage of the project since the election, and noted that the new
Government had said publicly that it would not terminate the contract with AquaSure. The Hon.
Peter Walsh MLA is the new Minister for Water.
Thiess Degrémont presentation Construction Update
Mr Burns gave members a construction update on the project. He noted that while the
majority of works stopped for three weeks over the holiday season, marine works continued on the
jack‐up barge.
He noted that installation of the two intake structures and risers have been completed and the
jack‐up barge has been relocated to its second and final position. Works on the outlet structures
and risers are expected to be completed ahead of schedule. It is estimated that sometime during
February, the jack‐up barge will be relocated offshore to Rhyll for demobilisation. It will then be
collected from Cowes by a semi‐submersible vessels for transportation back to Europe.
Mr Burns showed some images of machinery on the jack‐up barge. He noted that all 72 dual media
pressure filters (DMPF) were delivered and installed on the plant site before Christmas. He
explained to members that this was made possible by the cooperation of transport
stakeholders and the Traffic Management Liaison Group. Some of the last convoys transporting the
DMPFs transported four vessels at a time.
Mr Burns detailed the works being undertaken on the plant site. This includes:
continuing erection of structural steel, precast concrete wall panels, roof panels and concreting;
Continuing of mechanical and electrical fitout;
Completion of intake and outlet structures and the departure of the jack‐up barge;
Completion of the outlet tunnels;
Completion of the adits that join the tunnels and the structures;
Delivery of pipe modules;
Delivery of 150MVA transformers; and
Commencement of commissioning with the backwashing of DMPFs.
Mr Burns noted key Operations and Maintenance (O&M) personnel had begun working with the
Design and Construct (D&C) team. Hiring has already begun for the O&M team and 70 per cent
of those to be hired are local members of the community. This is a good result for O&M
employment.
Works Approval – Condition 2.7
Mr Burns then discussed with members the facility proposed to disinfect water before it is sent
up the pipeline. He noted that he wanted to discuss and consider this item with the CLG because
the Reference Design (on which the EPA Works Approval is based) is different to what is going
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to be built.
The Reference Design
Had a dedicated chlorination facility with a building floor plan of approximately 510m2
The chlorination equipment and chlorine drums would need to be well‐ventilated in accordance
with AS/NZS 2927:2001 ‐ The Storage and Handling of Liquefied Chlorine Gas
Had a chlorine detection (ChlorGuard) system to help detect any losses from the chlorine
storage area
Would likely have seen the desalination plant classified as a Major Hazard Facility
AquaSure’s Design
Sodium hypochlorite is proposed to be stored in two tanks, each with a capacity of 20m3,
located within a dedicated building.
The sodium hypochlorite storage and dosing equipment will have an estimated footprint of 450m2
which will fit within the footprint of the Reference Design chlorination building.
The sodium hypochlorite storage room will have security protected access, with roller doors
providing access for storage tank access and maintenance.
The entire room will form a bund with the tanks sitting on concrete plinths slightly above floor
level.
Key Benefits
Through the substitution of liquefied chlorine gas with sodium hypochlorite, AquaSure’s
design greatly reduces risk of chemical releases.
The project is not likely to be classified as a Major Hazard Facility.
The sodium hypochlorite building will have a smaller footprint than an equivalent chlorination
building.
The building height and therefore any potential impact on visual amenity is reduced.
The Chair asked if there was any residue from the sodium hypochlorite. Mr Burns said there would
be no residue.
Mr Burns was also asked how the sodium hypochlorite would be transported to the site. He
confirmed it would be transported by truck.
Mr Goodwin asked whether this change would have any impact on concerns about chemicals going
back into the ocean. Mr Burns said this would have no additional impact.
Mr Anderson explained that sodium hypochlorite is commonly used for cleaning in the food
industry and that it is also regularly used in the dairy industry. He said he had no issue with its use
at all.
The Chair and community members of the CLG congratulated TDJV on this design initiative which
reduced risk for the community.
Community update
Ms Lee provided a community update to members. She mentioned that her team currently sees
approximately 600 members of the community a month through the Community Information
Centre, community presentations, stakeholder site visits and community events.
She noted that the areas of interest for the community constantly change. The current hot topics
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are whether members of the community can visit the site, how long the jack‐up barge will stay
offshore, what is the project’s cost to taxpayers, the need for the desalination plant and whether it
will be downgraded in size.
Ms Lee explained that by being accessible, the Community Relations Team can ensure the
community is correctly informed. She detailed that over the past few months, her team has
attended the Wonthaggi Rotary Market twice as well as the Bass Coast Agricultural Show.
Future events include the Kilcunda Lobster Festival, the Pakenham Agricultural Show and the
Grantville Market.
Cr Veronica Dowman noted that Thiess Degrémont had donated bottled water for the upcoming
Serenade at Sunset. She thanked the team for their donation as access to bottled water was a
requirement for the event to occur.
Ms Lee informed members that many workers and their families had stayed in the community
during the holiday period and many chose to support the community by visiting local attractions
such as the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and the Bass Coast Agricultural Show.
There had been many requests from the local community for information on what would
happen during the summer holidays. As a result, Thiess Degrémont produced a Summer
Holidays Fact Sheet which is available at the Community Information Centre. Copies were
distributed to members.
Ms Lee then showed a video to members of her team’s submission for the Thiess Head Office
Christmas message competition. Forty eight entries were received from projects throughout Thiess,
both in Australia and internationally. There were three prizes awarded and the Community
Information Centre’s submission won a prize which they are donating to the Bass Coast Specialist
School. She noted that this was one of many ways that Thiess Degrémont is putting back into the
community.
Construction Update – Pipe and Power Alignment
Mr Tonkin detailed to members the works that have been done on the pipe and power
alignment. To date, 6221 pipes have been delivered to site, 49km of pipe has been laid and
75.5km of pipe has been strung.
To date, 266.9km of cable has been manufactured. Over 66km of conduit has been welded and
trefoiled and 62.8km of conduit has been laid. A total of 42.7km of cable has been installed.
There have also been 31 road crossings completed to date.
Mr Tonkin then gave an overview of the booster pump station. He noted that the booster pump
station pumps water via three large pumps and motors. It helps maintain enough pressure to
keep the water moving on its journey from the plant site to Cardinia Reservoir. He also explained
that the booster pump station is only required when flow rates are in excess of 100GL/year.
He further detailed the design and explained that it was capable of being expanded for 200GL
capacity. He noted that the were eight surge vessels located at the booster pump station site which
acted as a safeguard to control the vacuum and/or excess pressure that could be created in the
pipe due to uncontrolled stoppage to water pumps.
Mr Anderson asked if there were any other surge vessels. Mr Tonkin informed members that there
are two additional sets of surge vessels – one on Kilcunda Ridge and another at Gurdies‐St Helier
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Road.
Mr Anderson asked about the design of the site with regard to mitigation of excess water flows,
noting that he thought it would be logical for water to flow in the opposite direction, towards
Cardinia Creek. Mr Tonkin explained that water modelling had been undertaken with landscape
designers to inform the design.
Mr Tonkin then detailed the northern compensation station’s design and explained that the
station would reduce the voltage of electricity (as well as for the southern compensation
station, supporting consistency of electrical current to the plant site). He also explained that noise
mitigation met the EPA guidelines.
Ms Rappell asked to have a set of plans of the site for the Casey Council files in order for the
Council to help them understand the likely impact on urban development.
Action: Mr Tonkin to provide plans to Ms Rappell.
Action: Mr Tonkin to provide some further detail to members regarding surge vessels in other
locations at next meeting.
Mr Stuart Halligan asked if the six‐metre mounds that form part of the design would be
sufficient protection in the case of a 100‐year flood. Mr Tonkin replied that the mounding is for
visual amenity and noise attenuation.
Action: Mr Tonkin to provide further information at the next meeting on water management.
Ms Rappell inquired about fencing and security for the station. Mr Tonkin explained that there
will be fencing around the site as it will be classified land and people will not be able to use it for
recreational purposes.
Ms Rappell asked under what Act the site is determined to be classified. She also asked to be kept
informed about the use or disposal of any excess land around the site.
Action: DSE to provide Ms Rappell with further information and to keep her informed about excess
land.
Mr Anderson asked when fibre optic cable would be installed. Mr Burns replied that installation
would commence on 1 February.
February meeting
Ms Middleton asked members to ensure that they met the plant site’s dress requirements for next
month’s site visit. She noted that this visit will be more extensive than the previous one. Ms
Zonneveldt asked all members to ensure that they gave firm confirmation of attendance in order to
facilitate security arrangements.
4.
Reports from Community Representatives
Mr Goodwin detailed some roads in the community that needed additional works. Cr Dowman
also noted that the council had received a number of complaints on this issue and said more
information was required to ensure the community understood that it was AquaSure’s
responsibility to maintain the roads being used for construction. Mr Tonkin noted this and detailed
upcoming maintenance works. He explained to members that the Bass Coast Shire Council was
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forwarding all complaints regarding roads to him for resolution. He noted that over the
Christmas period Bass Coast Shire Council had reported over 70,000 visitors to the area and
that PLJV had received 32 enquiries – only three of which were related to roads in Bass Coast
Shire. Mr Tonkin stated that PLJV would continue to work with Bass Coast Shire Council to ensure
that all road condition matters are addressed.
Mr Herbert noted that there was some new equipment being used to repair roads and that this
would improve the quality of road repairs. He noted that the recent works to Turnbull Woolamai
Road were to a good standard.
While the Traffic Management Liaison Group is managing road maintenance issues, it was
agreed that it was appropriate for the issue to continue to be raised at CLG.
Mr Goodwin mentioned that truck driver behaviour was improving but expressed concern about
the behaviour of some employees driving light vehicles. Mr Tonkin undertook to provide a reminder
to the PLJV team.
Mr Goodwin thanked the Community Information Centre staff for their work.
Cr Dowman gave an overview of her involvement in the project to date and stressed that it had
always been her position to work with the community to get the best outcome. She noted that
if done properly, the effects of desalination plants could be minimised. She noted that the design
of the project was both stunning and very clever and that she was looking forward to seeing the
coastal park which the community will be able to enjoy.
Cr Halligan detailed his past involvement in the project. He noted that he was very satisfied that
the Brumby Government had listened and had chosen an underground power solution, as well as
relocating the booster pump station. Cr Halligan said he appreciated Mr Tonkin’s involvement. He
said although there had been some community concerns, these had been resolved through
community liaison and the information provided to the groups concerned.
Ms Rappell inquired whether there was an EPA buffer zone for the booster pump station site and
how that would affect residential development in the City of Casey in the future.
Action: DSE to provide information to Ms Rappell.
The Chair inquired whether there would be Community Open Days to allow the community to
visit the plant site. It was explained that there is a contractual obligation to host an Open Day and
the parties were working together on the details.
Meeting closed 11.45am
5.
Next meeting
To be held on 24 February 2011 at 10.00am at the plant site.