Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant Project

What is the Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant Project?

The Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant project is a planning project as part of our commitment to be ‘plan ready’ in continuing to deliver safe and secure drinking water in response to a potential severe and prolonged drought in the future. 

A Desalination Water Treatment Plant at Toukley would provide the Central Coast community with an additional water source that is not dependant on rainfall. This means when we are in drought, we would still have access to a safe and secure source of water. 

Seawater desalination is an important part of the Central Coast Water Security Plan (June 2023), which is critical to the long-term water security of the region. It also forms an important part of Council’s Drought Management Plan as one potential drought response measure to be implemented in a future severe and prolonged drought.
 

What will the project deliver?

We are developing a concept design and obtaining planning approvals for a 30 megalitre per day (ML/D) desalination scheme. This allows Council to better understand the time and cost required to construct a desalination plant at Toukley – if the plant is required in response to a future severe and prolonged drought.

We need to do this planning work now, to ensure that we can responsibly delay triggering more expensive detailed design and construction activities until a later stage during a potential future drought.
 

How will the project be delivered?

The primary objective of the project is to develop a concept design and obtain planning approvals, so that we are one step closer to being ready for detailed design and construction if storage levels in our dams reach critical levels.

We are currently in the early stages of planning which involves commencement of environmental investigations to identify feasible options for a sea water intake structure which will inform a concept design and the development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Once the new planning approval has been granted by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant project will then be considered ‘plan ready’ to be implemented if required in the future.

Where is the project up to?

• Community consultation held in August 2025 (online survey and drop-in session).
• Feedback raised concerns about pumping station impacts near Jenny Dixon or Pebbly Beach.
  • Updated concept design:
  • Preferred option: Pumping station located within the desalination plant site.
  • Longer underground pipeline with an access shaft only for construction and maintenance at Jenny Dixon Beach reserve.
• This decision finalises the project description for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and confirms required investigations.

What are the benefits of a desalination plant on the Central Coast?

• Supports growing population and increasing water demand.
• Provides a climate-independent water source, reducing reliance on rainfall.
• Improves system diversity and resilience against:
  •  Drought
  • Water quality issues (e.g., algae)
  • Major asset outages

Will there be any opportunities for community involvement? 

Yes. With a more defined project description, we will engage with local community groups, as well as holding another community drop-in session in the first quarter of 2026. Contact details also remain current for community members to ask questions and provide further input to the project as we work towards completion of the EIS.

The EIS will also be publicly exhibited for community feedback.

How can I stay informed about the project’s progress?

We will provide regular updates through our website, social media channels, and community newsletters and residents surrounding the area of works will receive notification by mail.