The McGowan Government today launched a new $4 million support program for local governments located in the Gnangara Groundwater Allocation Plan (GGAP) area who will need to reduce their groundwater use by 10 per cent from 2028.
The Local Government Support Program is a joint initiative of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Water Corporation, and will provide funding over four years.
The GGAP was launched in June 2022 and aims to rebalance Perth's groundwater systems north of the Swan River which have been depleted as a result of climate change and increased groundwater use.
The new program will support local government projects that improve water efficiency and urban cooling in the suburb, through initiatives such as redesigning public open spaces, using water sensitive urban design, planting tree canopy for shading, hydro-zoning and undertaking water audits.
The program will provide funding to the nine local governments most affected by urban heat island effects in the Gnangara groundwater allocation area. These local governments include:
- City of Bayswater;
- City of Joondalup;
- City of Perth;
- City of Stirling;
- City of Swan;
- City of Vincent;
- City of Wanneroo;
- Town of Bassendean; and
- Town of Cambridge.
This support program will be delivered as part of the recently launched Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan - Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2.
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"The impacts of climate change, reduced rainfall and increased use, mean that Perth and Mandurah's precious groundwater supply is disappearing beneath our feet.
"We need to reduce our groundwater use in order to minimise the impact that climate change is having on our wetlands, bushland, street trees, recreational parks and groundwater quality.
"In addition to changing how groundwater is used, climate change means that parks, gardens and sporting grounds have a greater role in cooling our suburbs.
"This funding will assist the local governments most impacted by the urban heat island effects, to reduce their reliance on groundwater and improve their public open spaces.
"This support program is one of the many actions of Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan - Waterwise Action Plan 2 that will help Perth and Peel transition to leading waterwise communities by 2030."
As stated by Local Government Minister John Carey:
"To help local governments reduce their reliance on groundwater, the McGowan Government is offering the nine local governments most at risk from urban heat island effects access to a $4 million support program.
"This joint program will support local governments in improving the way they use water and strengthen how local governments can build water wise communities."
