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Mr MALCOLM KERR (Cronulla) [5.47 p.m.]: The decision of the Government to build a desalination plant in Kurnell is a major problem for my electorate, the Sutherland shire, the State and Australia. In July a large numbers of shire residents gathered at Wanda beach to protest against the State Government's decision. Last Sunday a further protest gathering was held at Kurnell. I pay tribute to residents such as Dorothy Exon and John Scott from the Kurnell Progress Association. However, the Government continues to refuse to listen. There has been no community consultation. Only hours after the Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Water said that a desalination plant would not be necessary until Sydney's dam levels reached about 10 per cent, Premier Iemma confirmed that the desalination plant at Kurnell would go ahead. It is interesting to note that the plan will occupy some 25 hectares, which is a massive area.
[Interruption]
I will translate that into terms the Minister for Gaming and Racing, who is at the table, will understand. It is about the size of 38 rugby league football fields, which he might remember from his playing days.
Mr Grant McBride: Your team lost on the weekend, mate.
Mr MALCOLM KERR: That is typical. I talk about desalination and he wants to rub further salt into the wounds. That is the sort of treatment that this Government has reserved for the people of the Sutherland shire, and I am shocked that the Minister for Gaming and Racing would take advantage of Parliament to rub salt into their wounds. As I was saying, the Government's proposal will saddle Sydneysiders with a burden of $86 million a year, which subsequently will guarantee large cost increases for water. A desalination plant is not the answer to Sydney's water shortages because it is too expensive and consumes far too much energy, but another aspect that has not received much attention is the insult this proposal presents to Aboriginal people. I cite what has been stated by Merv Ryan, a spokesman for the Dharawal Elders Group, in Your Say:
The New South Wales Government has shown its true colours towards Aboriginal culture and heritage. On the one hand they stand up and say that they're sorry to the Aboriginal people for past injustices and crimes against our people: On the other, they continue to pass development laws which will surely destroy more of our sites.
We have survived on this land for 60,000 years. In 200 years, through their industry and development, they have destroyed and continue to destroy more of our history.
They say that desalination is 'a critical infrastructure' to them. Well, our sacred and heritage sites are certainly 'critical infrastructures' to us.
If the NSW Labor Government can get away with it here, there is nothing to stop it happening to all of us in all States and Territories.
It's time to make a stand and let the Labor Government know that our heritage is more sacred to us than a desalination plant, or any other infrastructure.
Show the Labor Government that we are one people and let them know that we won't cop any more.
This is a serious matter. Taken in conjunction with a number of other factors, the points made by Merv Ryan are a good reason to say "No" to the desalination plant, which will result in further degradation of the Kurnell peninsula. Kurnell is an area of significant importance to both modern Australians and our Aboriginal brothers. The Government's proposal will turn Kurnell into an industrial theme park. The desalination plant will be at least twice as expensive as recycling. Moreover, water and electricity costs will increase and there will be an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. When I asked representatives of Sydney Water who addressed a council meeting whether they could name one independent expert or academic who supports the construction of the desalination plant, the question had to be taken on notice. I advise the Government to visit the web site of the Australian Institute. The institute has found that the plant will increase the cost of water by approximately 300 per cent and that its environmental impact will be equivalent to having 220,000 additional cars on the roads.