Work is now underway along Seaview Road at Henley Beach to protect the underground aquifer following the alleged illegal take of underground water by the Baju Apartment Complex.
The work will rectify the alleged illegal take of underground water that’s come as a result of the building’s basement intruding into the underground aquifer.
Contractors working on behalf of the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) will install a groundwater re-injection system under the road verge along the front of the apartment complex.
The work is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete and will be undertaken at night from Sunday through to Thursday to minimise the disruption for traffic and the community.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the ongoing extraction and disposal of groundwater in the area poses risks.
“Given the environmental risks, we’ve decided to intervene and install the groundwater re-injection system which will continually return the water being taken back into the aquifer in order to mitigate the risk of sea water intrusion,” Minister Speirs said.
“The basement of the apartment and retail complex sits within the shallow freshwater aquifer.
“Intercepted groundwater is currently being directed to holding tanks in the basement car park and periodically pumped onto the beach in front of Henley Square.”
Minister Speirs said the issue has been the subject of ongoing discussions between the State Government, the developer and the City of Charles Sturt after the Government became aware that underground water was struck during construction of the complex.
“Discussions between parties about a resolution, have broken down and therefore we’ve had no choice but to act quickly and compel action to protect the area from seawater intrusion,” Minister Speirs said.
DEW formally issued the developer with a notice on 13 October 2020, pursuant to section 107 of the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. The developer has appealed the notice and the matter is currently before the Environment, Resources and Development Court.
The notice required the developer to commence works on the approved re-injection solution by the 1 June 2021 and completed by 31 August 2021 to avoid the long-term risks. The State Government intends to pursue all costs associated with planning for and installation of the groundwater re-injection system.
Member for Colton Matt Cowdrey said the local community would welcome this outcome.
“As works were not undertaken within the timeframe specified in the notice, we’re now stepping in and taking action to prevent impacts of saltwater intrusion on local assets and businesses,” Mr Cowdrey said.
“The State Government has written directly to local residents and businesses in the area to notify them of the upcoming construction.”
