PLANT DESIGN

AquaSure's design for the desalination plant integrates architecture, ecology, landscape and world-class technology.

Design and construction plans were developed with a commitment to minimising any adverse impacts on landscape, cultural heritage, fauna and flora, as well as local communities. Aspects such as noise and visual impact have been carefully considered during the design process (see also the Environment section of this website).

Key elements of the design include:

• a ‘green line' that runs through the site, changing form and content as it moves from a natural landscape element to a constructed dune formation, a living green roof, a footprint encompassing buildings and, ultimately, a restored landscape within a coastal park.
• a revolutionary ‘green roof' — the largest of its kind in Australia — made of biodegradable materials and completely covered with living indigenous vegetation to camouflage the plant, provide acoustic protection, corrosion resistance and thermal control, and reduce maintenance needs.
• even though the plant will be one of the biggest in the world, it will have a very small footprint, taking up just 38 hectares of the 263 hectare site.
• one of the largest single ecological restoration projects of its kind ever undertaken in Victoria. The remaining 225 hectares of the existing site will be recreated into an ecologically sustainable landscape, including wetlands, woodland and coastal heath landscapes, new habitat for local fauna and a network of paths for local cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.
• more than 4 million plants and 150,000 trees will be planted to reinstate indigenous vegetation cleared over past decades to make way for grazing and mining activities.
• continued public access to Williamsons Beach, which is adjacent to the plant site.
• new dunes will be constructed to integrate the plant with adjacent landforms and minimise visual and noise impacts for neighbouring areas.

Architects peckvonhartel and ARM, landscape architects Aspect Studios and French concept architects Architectes Associés pour l’Envirronnement were involved in design development.

Artist impressions of the plant and site can be found in the Photo Gallery on this website.