Work begins on a $10.5 million upgrade to regional water networks

Water Corporation and Saltire (contractor) project staff on site in Collie

• Water mains upgrades are underway in 18 regional towns in South-West and Great Southern
• Water Corporation project to reduce leaks and improve water supply reliability
• More than $200 million committed to regional WA water projects in 2023-24

Upgrades to ageing water mains in 18 towns across Western Australia's South-West and Great Southern are underway as part of a $10.5 million project by the State Government to improve water supply reliability.
 
The Water Corporation project will help ease pressure on existing water infrastructure and reduce the potential for leaks and bursts.
 
Work has been prioritised in Collie, with mains to be replaced along Jones Street, Christie Street and Pitt Street. Refurbishments are also underway in Katanning where some cast iron mains are more than 80 years old.
 
Upgrades were recently completed in Capel, Cuballing, Harvey, Narrogin, Wagin, and Waroona, with work in Albany, Balingup, Bridgetown, Brookton, Brunswick, Donnybrook, Kirup, Kojonup, Mount Barker and Popanyinning scheduled for 2023-24 and 2024-25.
 
Work has been carefully planned to minimise community impact, with local subcontractors used for traffic management and road reinstatements, supporting local jobs.
 
The State Government is committed to improving regional water and wastewater infrastructure with $158 million invested in 2022-23 and a further $290 million allocated in 2023-24.
 
Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:
 
"We're investing strongly in regional water networks to ensure WA communities continue to benefit from secure, reliable water supplies well into the future.
 
"Through this project, Water Corporation will replace ageing sections of mains that have supplied communities for many years but are coming to the end of their operational life.
 
"While water leaks cannot be eliminated completely, this proactive investment will help guard against the potential for extended outages and strengthen the wider supply network in these 18 communities.
 
"The State Government remains committed to regional water security, and through Water Corporation, has allocated $290 million towards country water and wastewater projects in the coming financial year."
 
Comments attributed to Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
 
"This is fantastic news for Collie and other towns across southern WA that will benefit from greater water network reliability.
 
"It's also pleasing to see local contractors being used, helping support economic growth in our regions."
 
Minister's office - 6552 6600

Work is underway on Christie Street in Collie