- Shire of Dalwallinu and Shire of Gingin awarded $146,138 for projects under the Community Water Supplies Partnership Program
- More than $3.6 million provided to 31 local governments in dryland agricultural areas to boost their local community water supplies
- New projects will enhance stormwater collection and monitoring measures
The Shires of Dalwallinu and Gingin have been awarded funding for projects to boost water supplies and climate resilience under the Cook Government's Community Water Supplies Partnership Program.
The Shire of Dalwallinu has been awarded $137,138 for two projects, which will enhance stormwater collection at its Roberts Road dam and the Kalannie town dam.
Three 250 kilolitre tanks will be installed at each site, with the Kalannie installation to reduce the amount of scheme water needed to irrigate the town's oval.
Currently the Shire of Dalwallinu utilises 14,000 kilolitres of scheme water to irrigate the sports oval in Kalannie, at an annual cost of almost $40,000 - which will now be saved.
In addition to providing a reduction in scheme water use, the tanks will be available to supply water for emergency livestock and farm water, and for firefighting.
The Shire of Gingin has been awarded $9,000 to fund the installation of an automated standpipe monitoring system on the Honeycomb standpipe.
The Honeycomb standpipe is the only standpipe in the Shire, which can be accessed by the public for a fee and is used to assist construction companies, contractors or those working locally within the Shire requiring non-potable water to complete projects.
The data collected from the system will assist with analysis of the standpipe use and will provide ease of accessibility of the standpipe to emergency services when required.
There are 48 projects underway across 31 local governments totalling over $3.6 million through the Community Water Supplies Partnership Program - a collaboration between the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments.
The Community Water Supplies Partnership Program provides financial support to allow rural communities to adapt to changing rainfall patterns by establishing infrastructure that maximises the efficient use of available water resources.
Up to $100,000 is available per project for local government and communities to develop off-farm community water supply. Applicants must contribute 30 per cent of the total project value as a cash or in-kind contribution.
For more information on the Community Water Supplies Partnership Program, please visit:wa.gov.au/community-water-supply-program
As stated by Water Minister Simone McGurk:
"This program provides regional communities with the resources to future-proof their water security - which is more important than ever.
"The Shire of Dalwallinu will benefit greatly from this funding - the tanks will allow water to be stored during periods of high rainfall and used during dry periods to irrigate the Kalannie sports oval, which is currently underwatered.
"The installation of the standpipe monitoring system will allow the Shire of Gingin to monitor and control who has access to the standpipe and reduce the incidence of low water levels.
"These projects empower local governments to develop practical water-saving projects that will serve their communities well for many years to come."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Darren West:
"The ability for the Shire of Dalwallinu to irrigate to a higher standard will increase the amenity and quality of the oval for home and visiting sports teams, and other recreational users.
"In Gingin the standpipe has been under heavy usage pressure in the last 12 months, most recently forcing its closure and reducing access for users - which can now be resolved.
"It's great to see local governments apply for and receive funding for these important projects, which will make a real difference to our communities."
"I thank the Minister for this important investment in the Wheatbelt."
