The Federal Government is working with its state and territory counterparts to invest in water security, which will ensure the thriving of communities and their economies.
Water is one of Australia’s most important resources—crucial for our environment, economy, and livelihoods.
That’s why the Federal and Western Australian governments’ $266 million investment in better water security will benefit more than 90 communities in Western Australia.
“In a country like Australia, there are things that most of us take for granted – clean drinking water is one of them,” said Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek. “But that isn’t true for more than 25,000 people in remote Australia. These Australians live in places without access to water that meets basic health guidelines. And another 600,000 people live in places without access to water that meets recognised standards – relying on murky water or containing unsafe levels of minerals, heavy metals and chemicals.”
“The Western Australian State Government continues to deliver water security projects that are good for our communities, industry and the environment,” said Western Australian Minister for Water, Simone McGurk. “It’s great to partner with the Federal Government and our local governments to deliver critical water infrastructure upgrades for communities across the state.”
New projects being funded include:
- $115.7 million for three construction projects helping to better manage water nitrate levels and protect infant health, reduce reliance on coastal bores for water and build an advanced recycled water treatment plant for industry and drinking supplies across communities including Bunbury, Busselton and Guilderton.
- $45 million for projects under the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions initiative, including the Esperance Water Security Upgrade and Community Water Supplies Partnership Program with local government.
- $32 million for seven First Nations water infrastructure projects supporting dozens of communities in the Kimberley, Goldfields, Pilbara and Mid-West regions. Projects include bore sealing, new pipes, and new self-contained water plants to better treat, store and pump water.
- $19.4 million for water planning and science and a business case to look at potential new water sources for communities in the Lower Great Southern region.
“That’s why we’re investing in projects like these, which will improve water safety and supply in over 90 communities in WA,” said Plibersek. “Improving water security is a win for towns and communities, a win for industry, and a win for the environment.”
This new funding to strengthen water security across Western Australia follows the completion of nine water projects under the $54.4 million WA Connections Package, funded by the Commonwealth and Western Australian Labor governments. Regional and rural communities have benefitted from these projects, including upgraded irrigation water infrastructure in the Gascoyne region and the Katanning to Kojonup pipe replacement.
“Western Australia is feeling the impacts of climate change, so we’re constantly striving to improve and maintain our water infrastructure,” said McGurk. “The Western Australian and Australian Governments are investing in projects which will strengthen the State’s water security into the future and support the delivery of safe, reliable drinking water in our communities.”
The Australian Government has committed $123.9 million through the National Water Grid Fund, with the Western Australian Government and funding partners providing $143.5 million.
To find out what projects have been funded, view them here.
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