BY IAN CROUCH
Plans for a massive desalination plant at Belmont have been given the green light by the state government.
Construction work on the 530-million dollar project is due to start later this year.
Once complete, the plant will provide up to 30 million litres of drinking water per day to the Lower Hunter, meeting 15% of the region's average daily demand.
In January, Hunter Water modified the plans from a drought response to a permanent desalination plant.
It will be paid for via a new Hunter Water pricing structure for customers to take effect from July 1 next year.
