- $543 million committed in 2025-26 State Budget to increase capacity and reliability of Goldfields and Wheatbelt water supply
- Additional 7.2 million litres per day required by 2027 to support regional economic development
- Highlights Cook Government work to improve water supply reliability across regional Western Australia
Water supply to the Goldfields and Wheatbelt will be bolstered through a $543 million 2025-26 State Budget commitment to fast-track the first stage of critical long-term upgrades to the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme (GAWSS).
Stretching from Mundaring Weir to Kalgoorlie, the GAWSS, which includes the heritage-listed Goldfields Pipeline, is Western Australia's longest water scheme, supplying more than 100,000 homes, farms, mines and businesses in the region.
Since its commissioning in 1903, the 566-kilometre pipeline has played a vital role in sustaining residential, agricultural, and industrial activities across the region. However, sustained economic growth means the scheme is now operating close to capacity during the peak summer months.
Water Corporation commenced planning to increase the scheme's capacity in 2021, with staged upgrades identified as the most efficient and cost-effective approach to meet initial and longer-term demand.
This was supported by a $15 million investment under the previous State Budget to progress design and engineering work.
The project's first stage will increase scheme capacity by up to 7.2 million litres daily from 2027 to meet growth and industrial expansion, as well as enhancing the reliability of the scheme. Works will include:
- replacement of 44.5 kilometres of ageing pipeline, mostly the original locking bar pipe, in the Shires of Merredin, Westonia and Yilgarn, with new sections installed primarily below ground alongside the existing route;
- valve upgrades to improve network reliability; and
- upgrades to the Binduli Reservoir in Kalgoorlie, doubling the water storage capacity.
Pending State and Federal environmental and heritage approvals, works are expected to commence in early-2026.
To preserve the heritage value of the 122-year-old Goldfields Pipeline, the project will be delivered in line with a heritage interpretation strategy and management plan, informed by a 2023 community research project.
These essential upgrades form part of the Cook Government's broader strategy to secure drinking water supplies in the face of a changing climate and support economic growth across regional Western Australia.
As stated by Water Minister Don Punch:
"A secure and reliable water supply is essential to the future of the Goldfields, a region that plays a pivotal role in our State's continued economic success.
"The Cook Government's $543 million commitment for stage one upgrades will improve supply reliability for the community while supporting immediate growth in mining, industry and the community more broadly.
"With well over a century of service, the Goldfields Pipeline remains a key piece of infrastructure. These works will ensure it continues to meet modern demands."
Comments attributed to Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
"For more than 120 years, the historic Goldfields Water Pipeline has been a lifeline for our region - supporting our communities and powering industry.
"This incredibly significant investment from the Cook Government is something I've been advocating strongly for over the last four years.
"The increased supply of water for the Goldfields will deliver essential upgrades to ensure the pipeline keeps pace with what our community needs now, while work continues on planning for our future."
