$265M Boost for Water Security in Western Australia

Dept of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water

The Hon Simone McGurk MLA, Minister for Water


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."

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

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