A decade of waterwise leadership from local governments in WA

• Waterwise Council Program helping local governments and their communities save water for a decade
• City of Perth and City of Mandurah were the first endorsed through the program
• Program works to deliver greater liveability and foster waterwise thinking in their communities

The Waterwise Council Program was today recognised at the WA Local Government Convention for a decade of dedication helping local governments across Western Australia create sustainable, liveable communities.

Water Minister Dave Kelly acknowledged the State's first endorsed Waterwise Councils – the City of Perth and City of Mandurah for their efforts over the past 10 years, providing waterwise leadership to their communities.

In recognition of their commitment to the program and their contributions to the State, they were each awarded a sustainable commemorative park bench. The benches are WA designed and made from 50 per cent fully recycled Forrest Stewardship Council (FSC) timber and 50 per cent recycled plastic.

City of Perth and City of Mandurah both achieved Gold Waterwise Council status in 2017 with the City of Mandurah also taking out the Platinum Waterwise Council of the Year award in the same year.

The Waterwise Council Program is run through a partnership between Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, with the support of the Western Australian Local Government Association.

The Program aims to improve liveability by assisting and recognising the local governments that strive to improve water use within their operations and communities.

There are 40 Waterwise Councils across Western Australia, with a further 19 working towards endorsement. These local governments' provide waterwise leadership to more than 1.8 million people across the State. 

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"For a decade, Water Corporation, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and local governments have been working together to create waterwise communities.

"The impact of this work cannot be underestimated; especially as climate change continues to impact the south west of Western Australia. Since the 1970s, May to July rainfall in the south west has reduced by around 20 per cent, and since 1999, this reduction has increased to around 26 per cent.

"Congratulations and thank you to the 40 endorsed Waterwise Councils and 19 participating across Western Australia, especially the City of Perth and City of Mandurah who have led the way over the past decade.

"I encourage the remaining 79 local governments across the State to make the commitment today to join the Waterwise Councils Program and demonstrate to your residents the importance of our most precious resource – water."