The Western Australian Government has announced it will partner with four rural local governments to help communities’ in dryland agricultural areas adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The Government will provide $285,426 in grants to four rural communities as part of the Community Water Supply Program (CWSP) to fund the planning or establishment of non‑potable water supplies.
These grants will help rural communities meet emergency community water needs and reduce scheme water use in dryland agricultural areas receiving less than 600ML average annual rainfall.
Grants of up to $100,000 are available for stand-alone community water projects, which can include new or upgrading existing surface water catchments and storage dams, tank installation and development of groundwater resources.
The latest projects the government has committed funding to include the installation of three 173KL tanks and pumps at non-potable bores located in the Mullewa region in the City of Greater Geraldton at $100,000.
Western Australian Water Minister, Dave Kelly, said it was important to invest in suitable infrastructure for rural communities to ensure emergency water needs could be met.
“Farmers will benefit from these projects as they will have access to emergency livestock water supplies. This will reduce the demand on valuable town scheme water supplies,” Mr Kelly said.
Agricultural Region MLC, Darren West, said he was delighted to see the allocation of funds to address the shortages of water.
“As a farmer myself, I fully understand the need for a reliable water supply for domestic, livestock and spraying requirements and will continue to work with the Minister to find solutions,” Mr West said.
