호주 퀸즈랜드 골드코스트(Gold Coast) 지역에서의 인구증가가 2020년부터는 현재 논란이 많은 보류된 Tugun 해수담수화 플랜트의 재개를 이끌 수 있을 것으로 보인다. 퀸즈랜드 남동부 수도공급자인 Seqwater는 증가하는 수요를 충족하기 위해 일산 125Ml 규모의 Tugun 플랜트가 2020년부터는 여름달 동안 지속적으로 다시 재개될 필요가 있을 것으로 내다봤다.

자문업체 KPMG에 의해 수행된 이번 인구 연구는 향후 20년간 골드코스트의 인구증가를 예측한 내용을 담고 있다.

 

 

 

Population growth in the Gold Coast region of Queensland, Australia, could lead to the reinstatement of a controversial, mothballed seawater desalination plant at Tugun from summer 2020. 

 

South east Queensland water supplier, Seqwater, said its planners had estimated that the 125 Ml/d Tugun plant could be needed back on line continuously during summer months from 2020 to meet growing demand. A population study by consultant KPMG for Gold Coast City Council forecast major population growth for the Gold Coast in the next 20 years.

 

The controversial A$ 1.2 billion (US$ 840 million) Tugun plant was closed in 2009 and mothballed in 2010 after giving rise to numerous complaints. It has recently provided only 3 Ml/d Southeast Queensland's water grid costing up to A$ 15 million (US$ 10.5 million) a year to operate.

 

About 170,000 people in homes in Burleigh, Tallebudgera, Mudgeeraba and Robina are currently temporarily getting drinking water at 44-80 Ml/d from Tugun's desalination plant while the Gold Coast's Mudgeeraba's treatment plant undergoes major repair. Water production costs at Tugun are higher than those of drinking water from the Hinze and Little Nerang dams which is treated at the Mudgeeraba plant.

 

A Seqwater spokesman said the Tugun plant could be used as a peaking plant meeting the higher demand during the hot months as early as 2020. Bulk water prices to councils are locked in for the next three years, but water bills from 2020 onwards would have to reflect the higher costs of water.

 

The 2014 Gold Coast population was 546,000 which is projected to reach 798,000 by 2031 according to the KPMG study. The population more than doubled to 538,000 between 1990 and 2013 the study found and could reach 904,000 by 2036.

 

[출처 = Desalination & Water Reuse / 2015년 9월 7일]