- Five regional shires to receive $399,827 through the Community Water Supplies Partnership Program
- Over $800,000 in new funding for regional projects that improve local water supplies and assist communities with managing the impacts of climate change
The shires of Dandaragan, Dowerin, Perenjori, Toodyay, and Victoria Plains will receive a total of $399,827 in funding under the fourth round of the Community Water Supplies Partnership Program.
The program provides regional communities in dryland agricultural areas with funding to improve their non-potable water supplies. A total of $3.2 million has been committed over four years through a collaboration between the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments.
Up to $100,000 can be provided for each off-farm community water supply project, developed by local government or community groups. Applicants must contribute 30 per cent of the total project value as a cash or in-kind contribution.
The Shire of Dandaragan will receive $85,000 to fund stage two of the Jurien Bay Irrigation Development Plan Project which will supply 200 kilolitres of water annually and reduce pressure on scheme water supply.
The Shire of Perenjori will receive $62,754 to fund a bore system and infrastructure to reduce the town of Perenjori's reliance on scheme water for irrigation of sporting facilities, emergency needs and Shire works.
The Shire of Dowerin will receive $88,509 to improve the capacity of the Dowerin townsite irrigation scheme, and the Shire of Toodyay will receive funding of $73,897 to increase its emergency firefighting water supplies through new rainwater tanks.
The Shire of Victoria Plains will receive $89,667 to refurbish their reverse osmosis plant in the town of Piawaning, which has been designed to provide emergency farm and firefighting water to the local community.
For more information on the Community Water Supplies Partnership Program, please visit www.wa.gov.au/service/building-utilities-and-essential-services/water-supply/community-water-supply-program
As stated by Water Minister Simone McGurk:
"The Community Water Supplies Partnership Program grants provide local regional towns with increased access to important water supplies as they adapt to the impacts of climate change.
"This funding of nearly $400,000 will significantly assist these five regional communities to increase water availability.
"I congratulate the Shires of Dandaragan, Dowerin, Perenjori, Toodyay and Victoria Plains for taking up this opportunity to secure water security for their communities."
