- Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2 (2022-2024) wins Organisational Excellence Award for the second time at the Australian Water Association's Western Australian Water Awards
- Plan brings together shared vision for climate-resilient communities in Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030
- Cook Government committed to protecting and restoring the environment for future generations
The Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2 (2022-2024) received the Organisational Excellence Award at the Australian Water Association's (AWA) Western Australian Water Awards.
The awards were presented on Friday, 7 November 2025 at a gala dinner in Perth to celebrate outstanding achievements in water leadership, innovation and collaboration across Western Australia.
Led by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation with Water Corporation, Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2 brought together 11 government agencies and Government Trading Enterprises to deliver a shared vision for climate-resilient communities in Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030.
The plan was also developedwithDanjoo Koorlinyleaders and Bindjareb Elders on initiatives to heal the waterways and deliver enduring waterwise outcomes on Whadjuk and Bindjareb Country. Kep Katitjin and Gabi Kaadadjan are the Whadjuk and Bindjareb Noongar terms for 'water knowledge'.
The plan laid the foundation for broader engagement across State and local government, industry and the community - with its third iteration, Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise Action Plan 3 launching in 2024.
The Australian Water Association's recognition highlights the transformative nature of the plan and the collaborative government effort to tackle climate change-related impacts on water resources.
It also reflects the integration of Aboriginal knowledge and innovative water-saving initiatives that are shaping sustainable, liveable urban spaces for future generations.
It is the plan's second win in the category after first receiving the honour in 2023, underlining its leadership in sustainable urban water management
The winners in a number of categories will contend for the National Water Awards in 2026.
AWA 2026 Water Awards WA winners:
Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Regional)
- Golden Era for 600km Pipeline - GAWS Pipeline Upgrade Leverages Digital Twin and AI to Deliver Measurable Cost Savings - SUEZ and Water Corporation
Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Metro)
- Southern Seawater Desalination Plant Transition Box Remediation Project - Sacyr, Water Corporation and Fremantle Commercial Diving
Organisational Excellence Award
- Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2 - Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Water Corporation and other contributing organisations
R&D Excellence Award
- Safeguarding Water Quality through Predictive Pathogen Management - CSIRO Environment and Water Corporation
Innovating for Sustainable Water and Environmental Outcome Award (WA only category)
- Leading with a Plant-Based Coagulant in Low-Carbon Water and Wastewater Innovation - Tanafloc Australia & Tessele Consultants
Student Water Prize
- Hydrodynamic Development in Direct Contact Membrane Distillation Channels: A Particle Image Velocimetry-Based Study - Ali Kandi, Edith Cowan University
Young Water Professional of the Year Award
- David Stanik - Water Corporation, Operations Manager
Water Professional of the Year Award
- Associate Professor Amir Razmjou -Edith Cowan University
As stated by Water Minister Don Punch:
"This award is testament to the collaborative spirit and innovation driving Western Australia's response to climate change.
"We are proud to lead the way in waterwise innovation, ensuring future generations inherit a resilient and thriving environment.
"Waterwise Perth is more than a plan to save water - it's also a commitment to embed Aboriginal water knowledge, protect our ecosystems and ensure our communities thrive in a changing climate.
"I congratulate all of our deserving Western Australian winners and look forward to them representing our State at the national awards next year."
