EVALUATION COMPLETE
Investment in diverse and climate-resilient water sources to maintain urban water security across Australia is a national priority. Perth and the south-western coast of Western Australia face growing water insecurity due to population growth combined with declining rainfall and groundwater replenishment. This proposal aligns with objectives of the updated National Water Agreement (Draft) to ensure water planning responds to increasing demand and climate variability and sustainable levels of groundwater extraction are maintained.
Secure, sustainable sources of alternative water supply are needed to support delivery of the Western Australian Government’s Gnangara Groundwater Allocation Plan, which aims to reduce groundwater use by 54 gigalitres per year to support replenishment and protect vulnerable ecosystems, and the Urban Greening Strategy, which aims to boost tree canopy, vegetation and green spaces across public and private land in the Perth and Peel regions.
PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION
The proposal is for a program of water supply and demand management interventions to improve water security. This could include a mix of more conventional water sources, as well as more innovative reuse and recovery options, to provide additional sources of climate-independent potable and non-potable water.
Across the south-western coast, timely investments in water efficiency and small-scale non-potable water sources will provide water security for commercial and industrial uses, peri-urban agriculture and irrigated green spaces.
INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATION
The Australian Government should note this proposal as a potential future investment opportunity within the 2-4 year pipeline.
The proposal may be partially eligible for funding through the National Water Grid Fund, depending on proposal scope.
OPPORTUNITIES AND OUTCOMES
The proposal has the potential to:
- Support water security – water supply and demand interventions would improve water security across Perth and the south-western region.
- Support liveability – improved water availability for non-potable uses supports urban liveability, easing constraints and costs on development where alternative water supplies are needed.
- Support productivity – secure and reliable water supply would enable growth in industrial and agricultural water demand, which account for around 32% of water use in the Perth and Peel regions, and are heavily reliant on non-potable water.
- Improve environmental outcomes – alternative sources of water alleviate pressure on groundwater resources to critical ecosystems such as wetlands and Banksia woodlands.
- Support climate resilience – reducing total abstraction from groundwater enhances the resilience of local biodiversity to withstand climate change, which in turn supports making Perth greener, cooler and more resilient to extreme heat and bushfires.
NEXT STEPS
Proponent to develop potential investment options (Stage 2 of Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework).