Sydney desalination plant splits opinion

One of the world’s biggest desalination plants is about to open in Australia’s most populous – and thirstiest – city, Sydney.

The $1.7bn (

Critics say the plant, in the southern suburb of Kurnell, is a waste of money and have accused the authorities of panicking in the face of ecological challenges, while the project’s architects have insisted it will help drought-proof Sydney at a time of great environmental uncertainty.

Sydney Water Corporation managing director Kerry Schott said: “The cost justification really rests on the fact that you don’t want a city running out of water.

“We have historically had cities run out of water and they have been abandoned and we certainly don’t want it happening in a major city like Sydney.

BBC