- Five shires across the Agricultural Region and Gascoyne will receive almost $400,000 under the Community Water Supplies Partnership program
- In total, almost half a million dollars has been awarded for 10 new water security projects in this round of funding
- The program has provided over $4.8million to local government authorities for 69 projects since 2021
Water security projects in the Agricultural Region and Gascoyne will receive grants under the Community Water Supplies Partnership (CWSP) program, which aims to strengthen climate resilience in our regions.
The Shire of Victoria Plains will receive $179,885 for three water security projects, including $15,400 to install a mobile water tank, $72,341 for a tank at Calingiri and $92,144 for the Goudge/Parker Road Bore.
The Shire of Quairading will receive $24,000 to provide a source of non-potable water for the community to access in times of water deficiency or local emergency. The project includes the installation of a 160-kilolitre tank at the works depot, upgrading of two bore pumps and the purchase of a dam scoop.
The project will store rainfall for non-potable supplies during emergencies and provide a reliable non-scheme supply of water from existing bore fields to water community ovals and recreational spaces. This also includes cleaning the existing Town Dam and the replacement of the bore pumps.
The Shire of Wagin will receive $13,387 to implement a water security strategy, which will enable the shire to invest in its future water security, to maximise scheme water use and achieve greater self-sufficiency in water use.
The Shire of Wongan-Ballidu will also receive $100,000 for its project, which involves automating pumps at two dam facilities, Mocardy Dam and Railway Dam. This project is also aiming to minimise water wastage by implementing real-time monitoring of the pump system.
The Shire of Gnowangerup will receive $41,930 for the installation of an additional 76-kilolitre water tank at the Gnowangerup Aerodrome, including 1km of pipework from the catchment dam adjoining the aerodrome. The project will improve aerial firefighting capacity within the shire and also assist surrounding shires that don't have aerodrome landing facilities.
The Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation in the Gascoyne region will receive $18,000 to support water security at Cardabia Station. The funding will support investigations to assess the viability of a disused bore to supply the Cardabia homestead precinct with a non-potable water supply for landscaping, showers, toilets and livestock watering.
The CWSP program is jointly funded by the Cook Government and the Commonwealth Government's National Water Grid Connections Funding Program. It provides financial support to allow rural communities to adapt to changing rainfall patterns by establishing infrastructure that maximises the efficient use of all available water resources.
Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:
"These local communities will benefit greatly from this funding - for important water security projects that will assist these regions in emergencies, supply water for community ovals, and support a reduction in scheme water use and water wastage.
"The Community Water Supplies Partnership program has become a highly successful program that has enabled local government authorities and community groups to apply for funds to establish non-potable water supplies for use in times of emergency and reduce scheme water use.
"The Cook Government continues to provide support for these important water security projects that can benefit our regional communities and strengthen their climate resilience."
Comments attributed to Agricultural Region MLC Darren West:
"These projects enable regional communities to increase non-potable water sources and ensure water is available for emergency livestock water and firefighting.
"It's vital for communities to better prepare for periods of low rainfall and the Community Water Supplies Partnership program enables this to occur through water infrastructure initiatives."
