Northern Water Project

SACOME reiterates its strong support for the Northern Water Project and calls for continued effort by the South Australian and Federal Governments to bring it to completion.​
Establishment of The Office of Northern Water Delivery
  • As published in the South Australian Government Gazette on 30 May 2024, the Governor has proclaimed the establishment of the Office of Northern Water Delivery (the ‘Office’), effective 1 July 2024.
  • The Office is now attached to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, and responsibility for the Office is designated to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.
  • Up until 1 July 2024, matters concerning the Northern Water Project have mostly been within the care of Infrastructure SA, managed by Chief Executive Jeremy Conway.

June 2024 Federal Funding Update
  • The Northern Water Project has been allocated an additional $65m as a 2024-25 Federal Budget measure and as part of the Albanese Government's Future Made in Australia policy (Media Release).
  • This equates to joint funding of a $230 million package of work in partnership with the South Australian Government.

In May 2024, Northern Water announced the following:
  • Geotechnical investigations (Geotech) had commenced to inform project design. These are mostly to be conducted within the project corridor or in road reserves, and are unlikely to affect road users. Expected to continue to the end of 2024.
  • A surveying contractor will undertake a cadastral survey in late May 2024 with this work focusing on ground truthing of property boundary data.
  • Northern Water has been collecting and analysing data from the Cape Hardy marine environment over the last nine months to inform the design and assessment of the proposed 260 ML/day sea water desalination plant.
  • Launch of the first round of Northern Water Community Grants, with Northern Water seeking submissions focusing on local community capacity building and regional enhancement – see this link for further detail.
  • Community feedback over the last few months of consultation has focused on the following issues/themes:
  • Community Grants Program;
  • Community’s desire to maintain access to the beach at Cape Hardy;
  • Interest in the electricity and power supply / usage regarding the project; and
  • Curiosity regarding the location and size of exclusion zones.

SACOME notes that the final decision to proceed with construction of the Northern Water Project will rely on gaining required project approvals and agreements, encompassing extended consultation with traditional owners, landholders, and the community; comprehensive evaluation of environmental, engineering, and economic aspects of the project; and commercial negotiation for project delivery and water purchase.

SACOME has worked collaboratively with the South Australian Government and its member companies to progress the Northern Water Project since its inception in 2020. SACOME reiterates its support for this project as a truly transformative economic development measure in the strongest terms.

Completion of the Northern Water Project achieves the supply of water as an input to industrial process in the Far North, facilitates further development of the Gawler Craton, plays a critical role in production of green steel and hydrogen in the Upper Spencer Gulf and provides a new source of water for the Eastern Eyre Peninsula.

​Ensuring that the Northern Water Project progresses to completion remains a key priority for SACOME.

Northern Water Project Briefing Note

The Northern Water Project remains a critical enabler to growth of the South Australian resources sector and the South Australian Government’s hydrogen and green industry transition goals. SACOME welcomes the strong support shown to date by the Commonwealth and State Governments, including the $100 million in equity contribution funding that formed part of the 2023 State Budget.
Ensuring that the Northern Water Project progresses to completion remains a key priority for SACOME in 2024.

Northern Water Project Briefing Note
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