THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP  
Minister for the Environment and Water

THE HON SIMONE MCGURK MLA
Minister for Water

MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday 12 October 2024

$60 million for new water treatment plant in Busselton

The Australian and Western Australian Governments have jointly invested $60 million in the construction of a new water treatment plant in Busselton in Western Australia.

The funding will help local regional water utility Busselton Water build a new plant and bore that connects to higher quality drinking water, reduce the pressure on coastal bores and increase supply capacity by 20 per cent.

Water supply in the South West of Western Australia has been affected by saltwater intrusion, declining rainfall and increasing demand.

The water infrastructure upgrade - the largest undertaken by Busselton Water in decades – will help support the growing communities of Busselton/Dunsborough.

The Busselton Water Supply Improvement Project is one of three water infrastructure construction projects in Western Australia to receive a total of $57.8 million from the Albanese Labor Government through the 2024-25 Federal Budget.

These three projects are helping to better manage water nitrate levels and protect infant health, reduce reliance on coastal bores for water and build an advanced recycled water treatment plant for industry and drinking supplies across communities including Bunbury, Busselton and Guilderton.

They have been funded through the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund, with funding matched by the Western Australian Government.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

"Water is one of our most precious resources and we’re working hard to deliver secure and reliable water to communities right across Western Australia.

"Projects like the construction of a new water treatment plant in Busselton means that locals have access to higher quality drinking water – and more of it.

“We are pleased to partner with the Western Australia to support regional communities and meet growing demand.”

Quotes attributable to the Western Australian Minister for Water, Simone McGurk:

"Our government recognises that this project is a vital part of ensuring the future water supply needs of communities in the South West can be met.

“We know we live in a drying climate, and that is why we're investing in innovative solutions to help future proof our water supply for the next generation.

"Building up water security infrastructure to respond to climate change is a State Government priority, and providing funding for this project in partnership with the Australian Government reflects our commitment to ensure our drinking water supplies and water resources are protected into the future."

Quotes attributable to Busselton Water CEO David Hughes-Owen:

“The way we manage our water in Busselton must evolve as it is clear that our traditional coastal bore network is no longer sustainable for the future due to the impacts of climate change.

“Studies show that our water supply is under threat due to saltwater intrusion, declining rainfall and increasing demand. Busselton Water’s bores are situated near the coast, and climate change is causing lower rainfall, rising sea levels, and drier temperatures, forcing saltwater to intrude into the aquifers in the coastal sections.”

ENDS