Proponents hope an historic joint development will help future projects in Western Australia's resource-rich Pilbara region overcome long-term water supply challenges.
Ngarluma Water will be Australia's first desalination plant project developed in partnership with a First Nations community.
Water is expected to start flowing in 2029 after Legacie announced a JDA (Joint Development Agreement) with BP to take an OoM (Order of Magnitutde) study, a crucial step to progressing the multi-user infrastructure for the Pilbara.
A Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) working group spokesperson said the agreement with Legacie and BP was crucial to the Ngarluma Water desalination project, which would ensure vital water supply for future projects in the region.
"Ngarluma Water will help protect Ngarluma Country by providing industry with a water source that is not dependent on valuable groundwater," they said.
The joint development also showed industry how First Nations partnerships could support the diversification of the Pilbara.
"The commencement of the OoM study brings NAC one step closer to developing a sustainable water source and realising a meaningful partnership for our community," NAC said.
"We are excited that BP has decided to be a part of the journey."
The desalination plant would address long-term water supply issues in the Pilbara, and enable decarbonisation of the region by potentially supplying critical water to projects like the Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), operated by BP.
Legacie CEO Michael Froud said the partnership with BP on advancing the project was exciting, and focus on providing sustainable water solutions for the Pilbara.
"This agreement strengthens our collective efforts in enabling multi-user infrastructure that supports regional development, while ensuring responsible environmental stewardship," Mr Froud said.
The OoM study will generate valuable information and insight to enabling a multi-user desalination pathway, which is crucially important for the growth of industry and establishment of green value chains in the Pilbara.
The proposed desal project could also deliver sustainable water options for the broader community, as well as industry.
Economic and environmental benefits in the region were expected to flow from the project, which would ensure access to essential water resources to facilitate the decarbonisation and diversification of the Pilbara.
Ngarluma Water will initially deliver up to 150 gigalitres annually and service the Maitland and Boodarie strategic industrial areas and other key regional stakeholders.
Together with the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation we are pursuing the development of an 80MW solar farm on Ngarluma Country, near Karratha in Western Australia.
☀️For more: https://t.co/A8HCsB6qiI#Solar #Partnerships #FindingBetterWays pic.twitter.com/ish4W35I3h
— Rio Tinto (@RioTinto) July 15, 2024
In July, NAC announced a partnership with Rio Tinto to develop an 80MW solar farm near Karratha, WA.
The project – which would supply renewable energy to Rio Tinto's iron ore operations – could potentially reduce emissions by 120kT CO2e annually, and was a significant step to a sustainable future, with economic opportunities for the Ngarluma people.
