What is the Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant Project?

The Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant project is a planning project as part of our commitment to be ‘plan ready’ in continuing to deliver safe and secure drinking water in response a potential severe and prolonged drought in the future. 

A Desalination Water Treatment Plant at Toukley would provide the Central Coast community with an additional water source that is not dependant on rainfall. This means when we are in drought, we would still have access to a safe and secure source of water. 

Seawater desalination is an important part of the Central Coast Water Security Plan (June 2023), which is critical to the long-term water security of the region. It also forms an important part of Council’s Drought Management Plan as one potential drought response measure to be implemented in a future severe and prolonged drought.

What will the project deliver?

A current objective is to undertake site selection for a seawater intake structure and transfer pumpstation, before developing a concept design and obtaining planning approvals for a 30 megalitre per day (ML/D) desalination scheme. This allows Council to better understand the time and cost required to construct a desalination plant at Toukley – if the plant is required in response to a future severe and prolonged drought.

We need to do this planning work now, to ensure that we can responsibly delay triggering more expensive detailed design and construction activities until a later stage during a potential future drought.

How will the project be delivered?

The primary objective of the project is to develop a concept design and obtain planning approvals, so that we are one step closer to being ready for detailed design and construction if storage levels in our dams reach critical levels.

We are currently in the early stages of planning which involves commencement of environmental investigations to identify feasible options for a sea water intake structure which will inform a concept design and the development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Once the new planning approval has been granted by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant project will then be considered ‘plan ready’ to be implemented if required in the future.

What are the benefits of a desalination plant on the Central Coast?

As the Central Coast’s population grows, so does the demand for water. A permanent desalination plant at Toukley would add a new climate-independent water source to the Central Coast water supply system. This would provide a very reliable source of supply that is not dependant on future rainfall. 
The plant would improve the diversity of the water supply system and the resilience of the system to respond to shocks including drought, water quality issues in our catchments (including algae) and other major asset outages.

Will there be any opportunities for community involvement? 

Yes. Once we have initiated early site investigations, we will be seeking community input on where the seawater intake structure should be located if required in the future. 

As part of this project, we will also be developing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which will also be publicly exhibited for community feedback.

How can I stay informed about the project’s progress?

We will provide regular updates through our website, social media channels, and community newsletters and residents surrounding the area of works will receive notification by mail. 

To learn more about how Council is ensuring the Central Coast community has a sufficient and resilient water supply into the future, explore the Central Coast Water Security Plan.