Today Deb and I went down to Cronulla on our last stop of the “Living the Issues” leg of the “Get NSW Back in Front” tour where we attended a rally against Labor’s desalination plant in Kurnell.

There were over 300 people in attendance at the rally in Dunningham Park standing up against Labor’s plan to force a desalination plant on the birthplace of modern Australia.

Deborah and I were deeply impressed by the strength of community spirit on display down in Cronulla, not just from the people of Kurnell, but from people all across the Shire. I’d like to thank all the members of the community who addressed the meeting, and also everyone who attended for taking the time out of their busy lives to send a message to Labor.

I addressed the rally and stated clearly we are putting companies on notice that if a Liberal Government is elected, a desalination plant at Kurnell will not be built.

 Desalination is not Labor’s measure of last resort; it is yet another quick fix with disastrous consequences. Morris Iemma's desalination plant will:

• Guzzle energy which will increase environmentally damaging greenhouse gas carbon emissions by the equivalent of 265,000 extra cars on our roads;

• Pump up to 750,000 litres of desalination waste every day into the local marine environment adjacent to wetlands, national parks and beaches;

• Unnecessarily increase water prices for NSW families by up to $240 a year; and,

• Impose havoc on Sutherland Shire residents who won't even be drinking the water the plant produces.

Worst of all, Labor's panic plan for desalination will do nothing to confront the embarrassing fact that under Labor, 97% of the rain that falls on Sydney is simply washed out to sea. This is the key issue we need to address and Labor’s desalination plant is not the answer.

That’s why I’ve undertaken to reverse and recycle our ocean outfalls and get serious about water recycling.

We’ve established a $1 billion Drought Proofing NSW Fund that will focus on large-scale recycling, stormwater harvesting and repairing leaky pipes and other ageing infrastructure. These are real solutions to address the biggest problem facing the people of NSW – water.

I told the people at Cronulla today the only way to stop desalination in the Shire is to elect Graham Annesley in Miranda, Steve Simpson in Menai and Lee Evans in Heathcote.

We then made our way up to Cronulla Mall where we chatted with local residents. I also spoke with Jason Staveley from Vega 95.3 FM at their outside broadcast. On Vega, I continued to spread the message that Sydney doesn't have a rainfall problem it has a catchment problem.

Labor is rushing to desalination because they are not prepared to invest in stormwater harvesting, large scale recycling and rainwater tanks. These measures should be pursued before desalination, but Labor is intent on a desal plant as their first option.

As I’ve made my way across NSW over the last 18 months there are so many people that have come to me in desperation over the actions of this Labor Government. Whether it is Labor’s inability to invest in our water supply and infrastructure, or their appalling record on adequate policing, health, public transport or eduction – the people of NSW have had enough.

On March 24 you have the chance to vote for your Liberal or Nationals candidate and put an end to Labor’s twelve years of excuses. We can get NSW back in front. 

Peter Debnam