The Adelaide Desalination Project: A Case Study in the Development and Delivery of Complex Infrastructure Against a Backdrop of Climate Change – Building Security, Resilience, Sustainability and Innovation into Metropolitan Adelaide’s Water Supply System

Abstract

Inherently highly system interdependent, Adelaide’s water supply was also climate dependent, relying on the Mount Lofty natural catchments & River Murray as its sources. With climate change manifesting itself through severe drought & rainfall reaching historic lows, the State Government recognised the need to diversify & secure Adelaide’s water supplies. It responded by committing to build a desalination plant, nominating SA Water as the lead agency to deliver the project. Focusing on complex infrastructure delivery systems, the paper addresses: how effective & appropriate governance & control mechanisms were established during development to overcome long lead time approvals, project acceleration & complexity; how the need for a desalination plant & project delivery was balanced with often competing needs of the community & the environment; how the desalination plant integrates process optimisation, R&D & sustainability, & achieves benchmark performance in energy efficiency. Citation: Kumar, M. & Raju, C. (2014). The Adelaide Desalination Project: A Case Study in the Development and Delivery of Complex Infrastructure Against a Backdrop of Climate Change – Building Security, Resilience, Sustainability and Innovation into Metropolitan Adelaide’s Water Supply System. In: Campbell P. and Perez P. (Eds), Proceedings of the International Symposium of Next Generation Infrastructure, 1-4 October 2013, SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, Australia.