Ethical Decision Making Constructing the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant
Ethical decision making constructing the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant
Executive Summary
Water Forever is a media group writing for a business journal. The group has an interest in how desalination directly benefits the various stakeholders. The Victorian desalination plant (WDP) located in South Victoria off the coast line of Wonthaggi located has received much criticism. Many controversial and ethical issues have been expressed by various stakeholders. Despite these concerns, a decision has been made to go ahead with the multibillion dollar project and build Australia’s largest desalination plant. The Victorian government’s target was to deliver drinking water that is amongst the best in Australia and to ensure that Victorians no longer have to rely on existing dwindling water catchments. Without solely relying on rain, the WDP will secure Victoria’s water supply for years to come, allowing businesses, general public and agriculture to no longer feel apprehension about population growth and climate change. Tanya (2009) contends that drier conditions in Australia have compelled the government to address the area of water shortages. Alternatives to desalination have been looked into, however they have been deemed to be non-sustainable. Thus, the decision to go ahead with the WDP was made.
The Victorian government sought advice from researchers and scientists on the environmental, economic and social impacts. The Environment Effects Statements (EES) outlines the conclusive studies and the effects the WDP will have. Some of the studies include geotechnical and marine based investigations, social impact, cultural heritage and the effect on flora and fauna (Department of Sustainability and Environment 2011). The ‘green light’ was given after studies found no convincing objectives as to why the WDP should not go ahead. In making the decision of implementing and constructing a Desalination plant the state government examined the potential benefits it would create
Executive Summary
Water Forever is a media group writing for a business journal. The group has an interest in how desalination directly benefits the various stakeholders. The Victorian desalination plant (WDP) located in South Victoria off the coast line of Wonthaggi located has received much criticism. Many controversial and ethical issues have been expressed by various stakeholders. Despite these concerns, a decision has been made to go ahead with the multibillion dollar project and build Australia’s largest desalination plant. The Victorian government’s target was to deliver drinking water that is amongst the best in Australia and to ensure that Victorians no longer have to rely on existing dwindling water catchments. Without solely relying on rain, the WDP will secure Victoria’s water supply for years to come, allowing businesses, general public and agriculture to no longer feel apprehension about population growth and climate change. Tanya (2009) contends that drier conditions in Australia have compelled the government to address the area of water shortages. Alternatives to desalination have been looked into, however they have been deemed to be non-sustainable. Thus, the decision to go ahead with the WDP was made.
The Victorian government sought advice from researchers and scientists on the environmental, economic and social impacts. The Environment Effects Statements (EES) outlines the conclusive studies and the effects the WDP will have. Some of the studies include geotechnical and marine based investigations, social impact, cultural heritage and the effect on flora and fauna (Department of Sustainability and Environment 2011). The ‘green light’ was given after studies found no convincing objectives as to why the WDP should not go ahead. In making the decision of implementing and constructing a Desalination plant the state government examined the potential benefits it would create
Bibliography: Tanya, K (2009), Procedural justice and Australian Environment, 2nd ed., pp. 13-22, Perth, Curtin University of Technology.