- Two Warren-Blackwood shires will receive more than $87,000 in grant funding under the Community Water Supplies Partnership program
- In total, almost half a million dollars has been awarded for ten 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
Two water security projects in the Warren-Blackwood region will receive grants under the Community Water Supplies Partnership (CWSP) program, which aims to strengthen climate resilience in our regions.
The Shire of Plantagenet will be awarded $67,675 to install a 409 kilolitre steel water tank, pipework and pump to collect water from the Mount Barker Agricultural Pavilion and other buildings.
It will primarily be used to harvest rainfall for irrigating the oval to reduce the reliance on scheme water and will also provide an additional water source during fire emergencies. The Shire is contributing $29,004 to the project.
The Shire of Boyup Brook will receive $19,418 to purchase and install a solar powered standpipe controller to upgrade the standpipe system provided for community use.
This project will enable the Shire to monitor the scheme water use, to ensure it is being used efficiently and not for non-potable purposes. Reducing scheme water use is a priority for many shires due to the high costs associated and limited volumes available. The Shire is contributing $8,400 to the project.
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:
"The Community Water Supplies Partnership program has become integral for local government and community groups to develop off-farm community water supplies to ensure water security for the future and in times of emergency.
"It's great to see these local governments continue to work with the State on projects that can benefit their whole community and boost their climate resilience."
Comments attributed to Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:
"These projects and their subsequent funding allow regional communities to protect and further enhance their water supplies, and ultimately plan for a future where water security will be increasingly important.
"These projects, for many Shires, will reduce their reliance on potable water supplies and instead leverage current infrastructure to utilise existing water sources more efficiently."
