https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/industry-...

https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/industry-and-government-to-partner-on-next-stage-of-northern-water

The Malinauskas Labor Government has reached agreement with the private sector to fund further studies, planning and negotiations to inform a final investment decision on the Northern Water project – a critical, sustainable supply of water for South Australia’s north.

If progressed, Northern Water would see construction of a 260 megalitre a day desalination plant on the Eyre Peninsula, and a 600-kilometre pipeline to transport desalinated water to the Far North.

A comprehensive business case has found the project has the potential to generate more than $5 billion in annual economic benefit and 4000 ongoing jobs by facilitating further development of industries crucial to the global decarbonisation effort, including copper, hydrogen and green iron, along with defence, pastoral, and community uses.

The Premier Peter Malinauskas today joined representatives from major companies who have agreed to co-fund with Government the critical next stage of investigations, ahead of a Final Investment Decision on the project in the first half of 2026.

BHP, Origin Energy, Amp Energy and Fortescue Energy are among private sector companies to contribute to the expected pre-FID costs of approximately $200 - $230 million.