THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
Minister for the Environment and Water
THE HON SIMONE MCGURK MLA
Minister for Water
MEDIA RELEASE
5 September 2024
More than $265 million for better water security in Western Australia
Water is one of Australia’s most important resources – it’s crucial for our environment, economy and livelihoods.
The Albanese Government is working with state and territory governments to invest in water projects that ensure our communities and economy thrive.
That’s why more than 90 communities in Western Australia will have better water security through a $266 million investment by the Federal and Western Australian Labor governments.
New projects being funded include:
- $115.7 million for three construction projects 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.
- $45 million for projects under the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions initiative, including the Esperance Water Security Upgrade and Community Water Supplies Partnership Program with local government.
- $32 million for seven First Nations water infrastructure projects supporting dozens of communities in the Kimberley, Goldfields, Pilbara and Mid-West regions. Projects include bore sealing, new pipes, and new self-contained water plants to better treat, store and pump water.
- $19.4 million for water planning and science, and a business case that will look at potential new water sources for communities in the Lower Great Southern region.
This new funding to strengthen water security across Western Australia follows the completion of nine water projects under the $54.4 million WA Connections Package, funded by the Commonwealth and Western Australian Labor governments. Regional and rural communities have benefitted from these projects, including upgraded irrigation water infrastructure in the Gascoyne region, and the Katanning to Kojonup pipe replacement.
A total of $123.9 million has been committed by the Australian Government through the National Water Grid Fund, with $143.5 million being provided by the Western Australian Government and funding partners.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:
“In a country like Australia, there are things that most of us take for granted – clean drinking water is one of them.
“But for more than 25,000 people in remote Australia, that isn’t the case. These Australians live in places without access to water that meets basic health guidelines. And another 600,000 people live in places without access to water that meets recognised standards – relying on water that’s murky, or contains unsafe levels of minerals, heavy metals and chemicals.
“That's why we're investing in projects like these which will improve water safety and supply in over 90 communities in WA.
“Improving water security is a win for towns and communities, a win for industry, and a win for the environment.”
Quotes attributable to the Western Australian Minister for Water the Hon Simone McGurk:
“The Cook Labor Government continues to deliver water security projects that are good for our communities, industry and the environment.
“It’s great to be able to partner with the Albanese Government and our local governments to deliver critical water infrastructure upgrades for communities across the state.
“Western Australia is feeling the impacts of climate change, so we’re constantly striving to improve and maintain our water infrastructure.
“The Western Australian and Australian Governments are investing in projects which will strengthen the State’s water security into the future and support the delivery of safe, reliable drinking water in our communities.”
ENDS
BACKGROUND – FUNDED PROJECTS
|
Project description |
Total funding amount (combined Federal, WA and partner contributions) |
Location |
|
Bunbury Water Resource Recovery Scheme |
$49,855,392 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – construction projects |
Bunbury |
|
Busselton Water Supply Improvement |
$59,130,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – construction projects |
Busselton |
|
Water Quality and Security for Guilderton |
$6,780,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – construction projects |
Guilderton |
|
Treatment, Storage and Pumping Mini Plant Program – Phase 1 |
$7,500,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – First Nations projects |
Kimberley region |
|
Water Pipework Replacement Program - Phase 1 |
$6,000,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – First Nations projects |
Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields regions |
|
Water Security for the Lundja Aboriginal Community |
$1,810,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – First Nations projects |
Lundja, Halls Creek, East Kimberley region |
|
Chlorination of Water Supply - Phase 1 |
$6,000,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – First Nations projects |
Kimberley and Pilbara regions |
|
Bore Sealing Program - Phase 1 |
$4,500,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – First Nations projects |
Kimberley and Pilbara regions |
|
Bore Pipe Upgrade Program - Phase 1 |
$5,250,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – First Nations projects |
Kimberley region |
|
Water Security for the Bondini Aboriginal Community |
$1,664,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – First Nations projects |
Bondini, Central (Mid-West) |
|
Future Water Security for the Lower Great Southern Towns Scheme Preliminary Business Case |
$11,320,000 - 2024-25 Federal Budget – Business Case project |
Great South region |
|
Electrochemical Nitrate and Heavy Metal Removal Plant |
$2,580,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – science projects |
Multiple regions |
|
Electrodialysis Reversal Research |
$608,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – science projects |
Mid-West region |
|
Pathogen Removal in Electrochemical Treatments |
$140,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – science projects |
Multiple regions |
|
UV Disinfection using LEDs |
$180,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – science projects |
Multiple regions |
|
Beneficial Use of Brine in Small and First Nations Communities |
$775,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – science projects |
Multiple regions |
|
Desalination Subsurface Intakes |
$3,150,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – science projects |
Gascoyne |
|
EcoVap Evaporative Matrix |
$280,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – science projects |
Multiple regions |
|
Solar Powered Desalination with Recycled Membrane |
$230,000 – 2024-25 Federal Budget – science projects |
Multiple regions |
|
Community Water Supplies Partnership Program with Local Government |
$5,600,000 – WISER initiative package |
Multiple regions TBC |
|
Jurien Bay Water Security Upgrade |
$9,680,000 – WISER initiative package |
Wheatbelt region |
|
Esperance Water Security Upgrade |
$10,820,000 – WISER initiative package |
Esperance |
|
Agricultural Area Dams and Strategic Community Water Supplies |
$8,400,000 – WISER initiative package |
Multiple regions TBC |
|
Albany Water Security Upgrade |
$10,640,000 – WISER initiative package |
Great Southern region |
|
Cave Springs Road Tailwater Return System |
$11,700,000 – Connections package |
North-East/Ord region |
|
Agricultural Area Dams and Strategic Community Water Supplies |
$5,160,000 – Connections package |
Multiple regions |
|
Katanning to Kojonup Pipe Replacement |
$6,720,000 – Connections package |
Great Southern region |
|
Jerramungup Dam Catchment Improvement |
$5,920,000 – Connections package |
Great Southern region |
|
Gascoyne Irrigation System Augmentation |
$7,500,000 – Connections package |
Gascoyne region (Carnarvon) |
|
Community Water Supplies Partnership Program with Local Government |
$8,060,000 – Connections package |
Multiple regions |
|
Ravensthorpe Dam Floating Covers |
$2,530,000 – Connections package |
Southern Goldfields-Esperance region |
|
Cranbrook Dam Catchment Improvement |
$5,730,000 – Connections package |
Great Southern region |
|
Wongutha Independent Water Security Pilot |
$1,040,000 – Connections package |
Eastern Goldfields region |
