Recipients of the Gnangara Waterwise Councils Grants Program have been announced, with a number of local governments set to receive a share of the $4 million funding to help reduce groundwater use.
The cities of Joondalup, Perth, Wanneroo, Vincent, Swan and Stirling, and the Town of Bassendean submitted projects to help reduce their groundwater use and have been approved to receive funding.
The City of Bayswater and the Town of Cambridge are also working to develop projects for consideration.
The Gnangara Waterwise Councils Grants Program is a joint initiative between Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and Water Corporation that focuses on local governments with large groundwater entitlements that are also most at risk of the urban heat island effect.
Funding will support the redevelopment of parks to include waterwise principles and create resilient open spaces, increased tree cover, upgraded irrigation systems, installation of weather stations and smart irrigation control systems as well as stormwater harvesting. Projects will also look at the potential for wastewater reuse as alternative water sources.
This initiative is part of the Government of Western Australia’s Kep Katitjin – Gabi Kaadadjan – Waterwise Perth Action Plan Two to establish leading waterwise communities for Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030.
Western Australia Minister for Water, Simone McGurk, said, “I congratulate the local governments that have been selected to receive funding for projects that will reduce their groundwater use.
“These projects will allow communities to continue to use our city’s beautiful green spaces, whilst reducing their reliance on Perth’s precious groundwater.”
For a full list of recipients, click here.
