New Djarindjin water source marks brighter future for Kimberley

Djarindjin, 170 kilometres northeast of Broome, is benefiting from a $20.4 million investment in new water infrastructure.

The Western Australian Government continues to lay the long-term foundations for safer and more reliable water services in Aboriginal communities across Western Australia.

The bore field for the Dampier Peninsula community is the first new water source being delivered since the WA Government transferred responsibility last year for water services in 141 Aboriginal communities to Water Corporation.

Marking the first anniversary of Water Corporation‘s Aboriginal Communities Water Services (ACWS) program, Water Minister Simone McGurk met community leaders in Djarindjin to unveil the program of works, which will support population growth and enhance health and wellbeing outcomes.

“This significant $20.4 million investment in Djarindjin is the latest milestone in delivering generational change to water services in our Aboriginal communities,” McGurk said. The first year of the Aboriginal Communities Water Services program has focused on building partnerships with communities to identify critical water quality issues and implement short-term solutions while planning for the future. Water Corporation has also established a robust water quality monitoring program to protect public health.”

In the 12 months since the transfer (1 July 2023), significant upgrades to water services in five communities, including Djarindjin, have commenced or been completed, totalling $32.4 million:

Ardyaloon: initial upgrades to the water reticulation network with new pipes, valves and realignment of existing pipes to address poor pressure and leakage issues ($500,000);
Beagle Bay: installation of new water pipes and valves to improve the reliability of the scheme ($264,000);
Djarindjin: new water bores and bore field access track to provide a new long-term water source for Djarindjin and Lombadina ($20 million); and two co-designed liveability projects for a new community greenhouse and greening around community basketball courts ($350,000);
Jigalong: repurposing and decommissioning existing wastewater treatment ponds to support the efficient operation of a new wastewater treatment plant ($1.3 million) and
Mowanjum: upgrades to the community’s wastewater treatment plant, which will become the first licensed wastewater treatment plant in an Aboriginal community ($8.3 million); a co-designed liveability project to green and irrigate a community open space; and a minor works program, including the upgrading of a wastewater pump station and pipe renewals ($1.7 million).

Supporting First Nations people with contracting work

Aboriginal contractors delivered $2 million of initial water network upgrades in eight town-based communities (Budulah, Burrinunga, Djimung Nguda, Karmulinunga, Badjaling, Bindi Bindi, Goodabinya and Irrungadji). These works included the installation of hydrants, valves, flushing points, water meters and new water services.

“We are committed to addressing water infrastructure challenges in Aboriginal communities, ensuring equitable access to essential services. This is a priority under our whole-of-government commitment to Closing the Gap,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti. “Aboriginal communities, like Djarindjin, are unique with their own aspirations and water services needs, so I welcome the responsive, Aboriginal-led approach Water Corporation has adopted to deliver these progressive upgrades.”

Several programs of work, totalling $13.2 million, have also commenced to address higher-risk water quality issues and improve water quality testing across multiple communities. This is in parallel to scoping and planning more significant, longer-term infrastructure upgrades—including other potential new borefields—staged over an initial 10-year time frame.

Underpinned by a collaborative, engagement-led approach, the first 12 months of the ACWS program have initially focused on assessing the condition of existing water infrastructure and implementing enhanced water quality monitoring to better understand community requirements and help identify priority upgrades.

To safeguard public health, a more robust escalation process has been established, in liaison with the Department of Health, to advise communities of any water quality issues. The increase in the number of community advisories is indicative of the enhanced water quality monitoring regime.

The 10-year (2023-2033) ACWS program will ensure Aboriginal communities have access to reliable drinking water that meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and wastewater services that meet or exceed relevant standards under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Water Corporation’s Aboriginal Communities Water Services fact file

Water Corporation’s Aboriginal Communities Water Services program manages water services in 141 Aboriginal communities across WA.
Staged over 10 years, it is delivering water infrastructure upgrades to provide safer and more reliable water services.
The 141 communities, of varying sizes, are located in:
- Kimberley (101 communities);
- Pilbara and Mid West (26 communities); and
- Goldfields and Central (14 communities).
Water Corporation manages the services with operational support delivered by existing local and Aboriginal-owned regional service providers, who maintain the water services and infrastructure.
Following comprehensive infrastructure condition assessments, improved water quality monitoring and reporting have been implemented to better understand individual requirements and identify potential improvements.
Communities with critical water service concerns, such as operational safety, water quality and water reliability, are being prioritised for upgrades.
Aboriginal staff are employed, where possible, to ensure an Aboriginal-informed approach to engagement, consultation, and program and service delivery.
The program will deliver water services that meet or exceed the relevant standard under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Previously, management of water services in these communities sat with the Department of Communities before the WA Government transferred responsibility to Water Corporation on 1 July 2023.