Regional Western Australia’s first public seawater desalination plant is taking shape in Onslow under a $94 million program by the State Government and Water Corporation to secure the town’s long-term drinking water security and supply.
The plant will have the capacity to supply 1.5 million litres of climate-resilient drinking water each day and concludes a program of works to meet future demand, which is expected to double by 2045.
This means the Pilbara community no longer depends solely on the recently upgraded Cane River bore field, which relies on heavy rainfall and cyclonic events for recharge.
“Water security is fundamental to economic development, which is why my Government is committed to delivering projects to meet the future water needs of residents, businesses and industry alike,” said Western Australian Premier and State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook.
“Co-funded under a State Development Agreement with Chevron and the Wheatstone joint venture partners, the new plant in Onslow will be the first of its kind to supply a regional community with desalinated seawater.”
The plant, scheduled for completion in 2026, will be located on the coastal side of Beadon Creek Road and designed to blend into the surrounding landscape.
“Once operational, the plant will provide up to 1.5 million litres of safe drinking water each day to meet the needs of the growing community,” said Water Minister Simone McGurk.
“In helping to secure the town’s long-term water security, this plant, as well as recent upgrades to the Cane River bore field, will support the community economically and socially for many years to come.”
The Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project has provided more than $68 million under a long-standing State Development Agreement requiring the company to fund projects that deliver lasting community benefits in Onslow and across the Pilbara.
“We’re proud to play our part in bringing water security and long-term benefits to the Onslow community through contributions made by Chevron Australia and the Wheatstone joint venture participants,” said Chevron Australia managing director Mark Hatfield.
“In partnership with the WA State Government, we’ve contributed $69 million towards making the Onslow water infrastructure upgrade and Seawater Desalination Plant a reality to secure the town’s drinking water supply into the future.”
Under the Agreement, upgrades to the bore field were completed in 2023 to improve its reliability. The works included upgrading a pump station, a new power station, and an electrical supply to the bores to enable remote operation.
Guidera O’Connor was awarded the contract to design and construct the desalination plant late last year. The 2.5km pipeline connecting the plant to storage tanks along Onslow Road will be delivered by the northwest Aboriginal business Kimberley Civil and Drainage.
More than 300 jobs are expected to be created during the plant’s construction, and over 10 percent of the contract value will be directed to local businesses.
Across regional Western Australia, the Cook Government – through Water Corporation – is working to secure community drinking water supplies impacted by climate change in support of growing communities.
For more information on the Onslow Seawater Desalination Plant project, visit www.watercorporation.com.au/onslow
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