A total of $4 million over four years will be provided to support local governments in reducing their groundwater use. Seven grant recipients have been selected as the most impacted local governments by the urban heat island effect. Under the Gnangara groundwater allocation plan, local governments will need to transition to a 10 per cent reduction in groundwater use from 2028.
The Gnangara Waterwise Councils Grants Program is a joint initiative between the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and Water Corporation. It focuses on the local governments with large groundwater entitlements that are also most at risk of the urban heat island effect.
The cities of Joondalup, Perth, Wanneroo, Vincent, Swan and Stirling, and the Town of Bassendean submitted projects to help reduce their groundwater use. Those cities and towns have been approved to receive funding. The City of Bayswater and the Town of Cambridge are also working to develop projects for consideration.
How can local governments reduce groundwater use?
Funding will support the redevelopment of parks. It will include waterwise principles and create resilient open spaces, increased tree cover, and upgraded irrigation systems. There will also be an investment in the installation of weather stations, smart irrigation control systems, and stormwater harvesting. Projects will also look at the potential for wastewater reuse as alternative water sources.
This initiative is part of the Government of Western Australia’s Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2. It aims to establish leading waterwise communities for Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030.
For more information, please visit Program: Kep Katitjin – Gabi Kaadadjan – Waterwise Perth action plan 2 | Western Australian Government (www.wa.gov.au) and Plan – Gnangara (dwer.wa.gov.au)
Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:
“I congratulate the local governments that have been selected to receive funding for projects that will reduce their groundwater use.
“These projects will allow communities to continue to use our city’s beautiful green spaces, whilst reducing their reliance on Perth’s precious groundwater.”