An underused water recycling plant could prove vital to securing a $150 million Anglesea eco-tourism park amid fears investors could soon take the 300-job proposal elsewhere.
Torquay-based MP Stuart Grimley urged State Government to fast-track plans to fill a disused mine with water, saying the issue was holding the project back.
“Eden and its eco-investors need the government to come to the party and … overcome this hurdle as soon as possible,” he said.
Mr Grimley said Barwon Water was assessing using its Black Rock water recycling plant to fill the mine with Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP).
But State Government departments urgently needed to approve a pipeline from the plant to the proposed eco park, he warned.
If not, UK-based charity Eden Project International could begin searching for alternative sites in months or “even weeks”, Mr Grimley said.
Mr Grimley suggested a pipeline could also service nearby communities but said government had yet to disclose an estimated cost.
In six years the $42 million recycled-water plant has yet to produce a drop for Torquay and Armstrong Creek homes, its intended purpose.
Eden Project International chief executive David Harland confirmed “discussions on water” were holding the project back.
“We have been very clear that this needs to be resolved by the end of this year to maintain momentum and to allow investment decisions to be made,” he said.
“This has not changed. However, we recognise the multi-departmental work that is happening with government and are hopeful that this will result in a solution for all parties imminently.”
Barwon Water confirmed it was assessing the feasibility of filling the mine with recycled water with DELWP.
The project required more detailed planning to determine costs, a Barwon Water spokesperson said.
A government spokesperson said finding a water source to fill the mine was critical.
But the source had to be sustainable and not impact negatively impact local waterways, water supplies or environments, they said.
“The Eden proposal is an ambitious idea, with a number of environmental and planning challenges which need to be resolved before it can progress further.”
Developing a safe and sustainable mine rehabilitation plan was the responsibility of landowner Alcoa, they said.
“We’re assisting Alcoa and the Eden Project by providing an analysis of water options – so an informed choice can be made about the viability of the project.”
