More money in the regions for water security projects

Water security projects across Western Australia will receive grants under the Community Water Supplies Partnership (CWSP) program to strengthen climate resilience in the regions.

“The Community Water Supplies Partnership program has become integral for local government and community groups to develop off-farm community water supplies to ensure water security for the future and in times of emergency,” said Water Minister Simone McGurk. “It’s great to see these local governments continue to work with the State on projects that can benefit their whole community and boost their climate resilience.”

The Shire of Plantagenet will be awarded $67,675 to install a 409-kilolitre steel water tank, pipework, and pump to collect water from the Mount Barker Agricultural Pavilion and other buildings. It will primarily harvest rainfall for irrigating the oval, reducing the reliance on scheme water. It will also provide an additional water source during fire emergencies. The Shire is contributing $29,004 to the project.

The Shire of Boyup Brook will receive $19,418 to purchase and install a solar-powered standpipe controller to upgrade the standpipe system provided for community use. This project will enable the Shire to monitor the scheme water use to ensure it is used efficiently and not for non-potable purposes. Reducing scheme water use is a priority for many shires due to the high costs and limited volumes available. The Shire is contributing $8,400 to the project.

“These projects and their subsequent funding allow regional communities to protect and further enhance their water supplies and ultimately plan for a future where water security will be increasingly important,” said Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsie. “These projects, for many Shires, will reduce their reliance on potable water supplies and instead leverage current infrastructure to utilise existing water sources more efficiently.”

The Shire of Victoria Plains will receive $179,885 for three water security projects, including $15,400 to install a mobile water tank, $72,341 for a tank at Calingiri and $92,144 for the Goudge/Parker Road Bore.

The Shire of Quairading will receive $24,000 to provide a source of non-potable water for the community to access in times of water deficiency or local emergencies. The project includes installing a 160-kilolitre tank at the works depot, upgrading two bore pumps, and purchasing a dam scoop. The project will store rainfall for non-potable supplies during emergencies and provide a reliable non-scheme water supply from existing bore fields to water community ovals and recreational spaces. It also includes cleaning the existing Town Dam and replacing the bore pumps.

The Shire of Wagin will receive $13,387 to implement a water security strategy. This strategy will enable the Shire to invest in its future water security, maximise scheme water use, and achieve greater self-sufficiency in water use.

The Shire of Wongan-Ballidu will also receive $100,000 for its project, which involves automating pumps at two dam facilities, Mocardy Dam and Railway Dam. This project aims to minimise water wastage by implementing real-time monitoring of the pump system.

The Shire of Gnowangerup will receive $41,930 to install an additional 76-kilolitre water tank at the Gnowangerup Aerodrome, including 1km of pipework from the catchment dam adjoining the aerodrome. The project will improve aerial firefighting capacity within the Shire and also assist surrounding shires that don’t have aerodrome landing facilities.

The Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation in the Gascoyne region will receive $18,000 to support water security at Cardabia Station. The funding will support investigations to assess the viability of a disused bore to supply the Cardabia homestead precinct with a non-potable water supply for landscaping, showers, toilets and livestock watering.

“These projects enable regional communities to increase non-potable water sources and ensure water is available for emergency livestock water and firefighting,” said Agricultural Region MLC Darren West. “It’s vital for communities to better prepare for periods of low rainfall, and the Community Water Supplies Partnership program enables this through water infrastructure initiatives.”

The CWSP program is jointly funded by the West Australian State Government and the Commonwealth Government’s National Water Grid Connections Funding Program. It provides financial support to allow rural communities to adapt to changing rainfall patterns by establishing infrastructure that maximises the efficient use of all available water resources.