In November 2019, Utility Magazine reported that the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment was seeking public comment on a desalination plant proposed by Hunter Water at Belmont. The reverse osmosis plant was intended as a reserve for extreme drought, producing 15,000 m³/day, over 10 percent of Lower Hunter demand under Level 3 restrictions. It was costed at 87 million Australian dollars, or about 100 million including pipelines. Brine would return to the sea through the Belmont wastewater plant outfall. Submissions were open until 19 December 2019.
The report showed desalination as one element of drought preparedness: the plant was planned as a reserve for extreme dry periods and formed part of a package to cut demand and expand supply.
Source: Utility Magazine