Water Minister Dave Kelly today announced the McGowan Government will partner with a further three local governments in dryland agricultural areas to help these communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The McGowan Government will provide $210,000 through the Community Water Supply Program to help the three rural communities meet emergency community water needs and reduce scheme water use.
The latest grants will fund projects to:
- Build a new 25,000 kilolitre capacity dam including construction of an eight hectare roaded catchment in the Shire of Kulin to provide a year round non-potable water supply, including for emergency livestock needs ($100,000);
- Quadruple the capacity of the Tarin Rock Siding dam in the Shire of Dumbleyung from 2,500 kilolitres to 10,000 kilolitres and install two 45-kilolitre storage tanks and a new solar pump system to increase emergency livestock water supplies ($42,560); and
- Install a new 250 kilolitre storage tank and solar pumps at Fitzgerald Dam and refurbish the catchment area to the dam in the Shire of Ravensthorpe to enhance emergency livestock water supplies ($67,437).
Through the Community Water Supply Program local governments in dryland agricultural areas receiving less than 600 millimetres average annual rainfall can apply for grants of up to $100,000 to establish or improve community water supplies.
Projects eligible for funding include the construction of new water catchments and dams, improvements to existing surface water catchments and storage dams, tank installation and development of groundwater resources.
More information at: http://www.water.wa.gov.au/
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"The McGowan Government is realistic about the impacts of climate change on our dryland agricultural areas and is committed to supporting these regional communities with emergency water needs.
"This $210,000 investment takes the total funding committed through this program to assist rural communities this year to $500,000, and comes on top of our $1.3 million investment to create new or upgrade rural State-owned Strategic Community Water Supplies.
"This funding provides vital assistance to communities that are becoming increasingly vulnerable to water shortages as climate change continues to reduce rainfall in these areas.
"These new and upgraded water supplies can be used by farmers for emergency livestock needs and also for community firefighting services.
"The McGowan Government will continue to partner with rural local governments over the coming summer to ensure our farmers and rural communities have access to emergency water needs for animal welfare."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Laurie Graham:
"As politicians we cannot make it rain, but we can be prepared for when it doesn't.
"This investment is more than just dams and tanks, its security for our farmers and their livestock when times are tough.
"I am proud to be part of a government that is actively investing in the future of farming."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Darren West:
"I am delighted the McGowan Government is investing in water infrastructure.
"There is a clear demand for the upgrades.
"These new works will provide enormous benefit to the local communities."
Minister's office - 6552 6100
