- Cook Government marks National Water Week by highlighting State-wide water security and climate resilience action
- Major investments in desalination, regional water planning and infrastructure upgrades launched across Western Australia
- Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise action plan 2 nominated for award
A Cook Government plan to tackle the effects of climate change on water resources by encouraging conservation, building climate-resilient cities, and incorporating Aboriginal knowledge has been nominated for a prestigious award.
The Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise action plan 2 is one of three finalists in the Organisational Excellence category at this year's Australian Water Association's WA Awards.
Recognition of the plan, which was delivered by 11 agencies, comes as the community is being encouraged Bring Water into Focus as part of National Water Week, which runs from 20 October to 26 October.
Western Australia's southwest region is one of the world's most climate-affected areas, with declining rainfall reducing streamflow and groundwater recharge.
The Cook Government is addressing this challenge through initiatives such as groundwater allocation planning, drought funding, water efficiency grants and remote community water security trials to secure WA's water future.
These pioneering projects form part of the wider Kep Katitijin - Gabi Kaadadjin plan which is now in its third instalment.
Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise action plan 3 was launched last year and will take WA past the halfway mark in the journey to establish leading waterwise communities for Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030.
Other Cook Government initiatives that are helping to secure WA's water future include:
- $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant which will supply 50 billion litres of water to more than 2.5 million people through the Integrated Water Supply Scheme;
- $5.5 million for 83 water infrastructure upgrades through the National Water Grid's Community Water Supplies Partnerships Program, to improve water access in dryland agricultural areas;
- $25 million committed to water security upgrades for the Lower Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme;
- $4.2 million allocated in the 2025-26 State Budget to accelerate water planning in the Pilbara, supporting regional development and climate adaptation; and
- Regional drought resilience planning underway through the Australian Government's $67 million Future Drought Fund, delivered in partnership with the WA Government to strengthen water security and climate resilience across regional WA.
As stated by Water Minister Don Punch:
"Western Australia is leading the way in climate-resilient water planning. From major infrastructure like the Alkimos desalination plant to grassroots community grants and regional drought planning, we're investing in a secure water future for all Western Australians.
"The Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise action plan 3 is a prime example of successful government, industry, and community collaboration.
"National Water Week is a timely reminder that water connects every part of our lives, and that we all have a role to play protecting it.
"Being waterwise is a shared responsibility for the whole community and by doing our part we can help to secure our water sources for future generations."
