Water Minister Dave Kelly has announced the completion of a 42 million-litre concrete water storage tank in Merredin, the largest of its kind in regional WA, to help improve water quality and supply security.
The $30.1 million investment is a key deliverable under the McGowan Government to improve water infrastructure in the Goldfields and Agricultural region.
Delivered by Water Corporation, the tank forms part of the Goldfields and Agricultural Region Water Supply Scheme, which supplies communities along the historic Golden Pipeline.
The project, which saw more than $2 million invested in local Wheatbelt businesses and 15 local jobs created, included converting an existing reservoir to an overflow sump for the new tank, and construction of new water treatment infrastructure and connecting pipework.
Over 2,000 cubic metres of concrete were used during construction, with on-site concrete production and innovative methods employed to enable the tank floor and roof to each be constructed in a single concrete pour.
A 32 million-litre water storage tank in Dedari is also nearing completion and will provide further water supply security and improved water quality for residents and businesses in the Shire of Coolgardie and City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
The McGowan Government has allocated $628.5 million to spend on regional water infrastructure projects over a five-year period from 2021-22, including $77.2 million for the Goldfields and Agricultural region.
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"Merredin's new 42 million-litre concrete water tank is the largest of its kind in regional WA and will improve water quality and water supply security for communities along the historic Golden Pipeline.
"In addition to the Merredin tank, a second tank is also nearing completion in Dedari which will hold a further 32 million litres of precious drinking water for communities in the Goldfields and Agricultural region.
"These projects form part of a five-year investment that will see $628.5 million invested to improve water services in our regional communities from 2021-22, including $77.2 million for the Goldfields and Agricultural region."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Darren West:
"Water security in a drying climate is paramount to our future"
"This investment by the McGowan will alleviate the concerns of the many communities that depend on the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme.
"The previous Barnett Liberal/National Government failed to invest in water security in the Agricultural Region and I thank Water Minister Dave Kelly for this much needed investment."
