In two years time this region of Australia could run out of drinking water but the solution is not in line with the wishes of one peak industry.
What's next? Port Lincoln , South Australia is home to some of Australia's best aquaculture but the industry and city are locked in a battle for its future.
The solution Mr Champion is talking about is a desalination plant but despite the urgent need, there's fierce opposition to the project.Port Lincoln is referred to as Australia's seafood capital and CEO of Eyre Peninsula Seafoods Mark Andrews, is concerned the proposed location for the plant will put his industry at risk.
"We could examine this forever, if we liked but we don't have the luxury of time," Mr Champion told 7.30. "Everybody on the Eyre Peninsula wants water security … a little bit of money extra spent now for the long-term growth and benefit of a region pays dividends," Mr Andrews said.A state parliamentary committee recently travelled to Port Lincoln and Liberal MP Nicola Centofanti said it appeared most residents opposed the proposed Billy Lights Point location.
"I think there's a real frustration in the community and we're hearing through this committee that SA water and successive governments have sat on their hands for the best part of 15 years on this issue.""I think there's been a lot of wishful thinking around the place, indulgent thinking, frankly, not just in bureaucratic world or political world .. but in the community as well, and still goes on to this day," he said.
"It would mean that we would have to start reducing the number of sheep, even not having sheep at all," he told 7.30."We all want water here on the peninsula but not in an aquaculture zone, where there is a risk," he said."I'm absolutely confident that what will happen is, in 10 years' time, we'll go to Port Lincoln, and we'll wonder what all the fuss was about.
Water Crisis Nick Champion South Australian Government Port Lincoln Eyre Peninsula Water Security
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