The Victorian Desalination Project is an important part of our community, as a source of water, an employer and a neighbour.

Consultation and information programs are currently operating to ensure communities are involved in design and construction progress.

Community consultation and information forums include:

• Community Information Centre in Wonthaggi
• Free call information line 1800 811 214
• Landowner liaison teams
• Community Liaison Group
• Letter box drops of works notifications for neighbours
• Information stands at community events
• Group briefings
• Updates in local newspapers
• www.aquasure.com.au and www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/desalination
• Community newsletters

Community consultation has played an important part in developing the project.

Communities were involved in the Environment Effects Statement (EES) through consultation programs such as direct meetings with landowners on the pipeline route, forums for local business, environment, tourism and recreational groups, focus groups, council liaison meetings and feedback from displays and briefings.

The information communities provided helped to form the EES and the Performance Requirements that guide the project, resulting in its state-of-the-art design and environmental management processes.

For example, community comments about how the plant would look in the coastal environment led to the Government setting strict requirements on building design.

AquaSure responded with an innovative plant design that blends low profile buildings into the landscape, includes a living green roof, rehabilitates the coastal dune and wetlands environments and incorporates community recreation trails.

DSE and AquaSure are continuing to work with the project’s neighbours, local communities and key stakeholders.