Major investment in Western Australia regional water infrastructure

• $968 million committed over the next four years to hundreds of water infrastructure projects across regional Western Australia
• $61.4 million boost over the next four years for regional water projects from the COVID-19 Recovery Plan

Water Minister Dave Kelly today welcomed the continued strong investment in regional water, wastewater and drainage services and infrastructure announced in the recent 2020-21 State Budget.

In this year's State Budget, the McGowan Government has allocated $968 million over the next four years to spend on new regional water infrastructure projects as well as improvements and upgrades to existing facilities through the Asset Investment Programs run by Government's three water corporations.

Regional Western Australia will benefit from a range of water infrastructure projects demonstrating the McGowan Government's commitment to delivering quality water services in regional communities.

South-West

$208.9 million has been allocated across the South-West region over the next four years. Key projects in 2020-21 will include the following:

• $26 million for the drainage upgrade project in the City of Busselton to increase flood protection;
• $7 million for the Greenbushes to Kirup pipeline to complete the Bridgetown Region Water Supply Scheme;
• $4.2 million for upgrades to the Collie and Kemerton Wastewater Treatment Plants; and
• $400,000 for upgrades at four water treatment/distribution plant sites in Busselton.

Goldfields and Agricultural

$151.8 million has been allocated across the Goldfields and Agricultural region over the next four years. Key projects in 2020-21 will include the following:

• $18.4m for new water storage tanks at Merredin and Dedari
• $2.8m to replace ageing pipelines and reduce leaks across the Farmlands area
• $2.1m to upgrade the York Wastewater Treatment Plant

Mid-West

$94.6 million has been allocated across the Mid-West region over the next four years. Key projects in 2020-21 will include the following:

• $11.2 million for improving water quality in the Murchison region;
• $2 million for a new water storage tank in Nilgen; and
• $4.2 million for water supply scheme improvements in Geraldton.

North-West

$265.3 million has been allocated across the North-West region over the next four years. Key projects in 2020-21 will include the following:

• $6.8 million for a new water storage tank in Karratha;
• $7.3 million to upgrade Onslow's Cane River borefield and water treatment plant;
• $6.2 million on improvements to the Yule borefield which supplies water for Port Hedland; and
• $500,000 to upgrade Derby Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Great Southern

$145.2 million has been allocated across the Great Southern region over the next four years. Key projects in 2020-21 will include the following:

• $18.6 million to complete the Albany to Denmark pipeline;
• $4.9 million to expand the Werillup borefield that makes up part of the Lower Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme, supplies drinking water to Albany and surrounding areas;
• $2.9 million to renew water supply pipelines in the Lake Grace area; and
• $2.3 million on expansion and improvements to Esperance's town water supply scheme.

A total of $61.4 million has been allocated over the next four years on new infrastructure projects as part of the WA Recovery Plan. In 2020-21 the investment in regional WA includes:

• $11.9 million towards the Bunbury Water Resource Recovery Scheme to provide recycled water for use on major infrastructure projects and irrigation of public open spaces - reducing the impact on groundwater sources;
• $4.2 million to normalise water and wastewater services to remote and town based Aboriginal communities;
• $500,000 to reinstate irrigation of public open space for the Shire of Broome; and
• $200,00 to upgrade the Coral Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant to cater for growth.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"The McGowan Government's investment in hundreds of regional projects, to be delivered by Aqwest, Busselton Water and the Water Corporation right across Western Australia, shows our commitment to providing safe and reliable water services no matter where you live. 

"One of the biggest challenges we face in 2020-21, and forever into the future, is to manage the impacts that climate change is having on our precious water supply and water infrastructure.

"Climate change has resulted in a significant reduction in rainfall across the State's south west and we're also seeing more unpredictable weather patterns in the north of WA.   

"The McGowan Government takes climate change seriously, and combined with a growing State, is committed to investing in water infrastructure that is efficient and resilient.

"We also need to keep doing more with wastewater, recycle what has previously been considered a waste product, as well as inspire more efficient and 'wiser' water use through education programs.

"By doing these three things in tandem - investing in water infrastructure, recycling wastewater and saving water - we will be much better placed to respond to the impacts of climate change on our water supply."

Minister's office - 6552 6100