Aboriginal Corporation to share in community water supplies funding
The Baiyungu Aboriginal Water Corporation is among 10 recipients to receive grants that aim to support rural and remote communities to build climate resilience through improved water infrastructure.
The Community Water Supplies Partnership program, delivered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, provides grants of up to $100,000 per project to develop off-farm community water supplies.
The latest round of funding will support vital water infrastructure projects across Western Australia’s Mid West, Wheatbelt and South West regions.
The Shire of Victoria Plains will receive $215,956 for two bores and pumps in Gillingarra to improve water access for firefighting and community use and build drought resilience in an area without access to scheme water.
Nearly $115,000 has also been awarded to the Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation in Coral Bay to establish a secure bore water supply for the Cardabia Homestead precinct. This will enable access to an affordable non-potable water supply for essential use and livestock drinking water, while also improving the corporation’s ability to hold events like the Jamba Nyinayi Festival.
The CWSP program is supported by the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions initiative under the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund.
A combined $5.6 million has been committed to the CWSP program from 2024-25 to 2026-27 by the Albanese and Cook governments.
Water Minister Don Punch said the Government was acting to help businesses and communities, including First Nations people, prepare, adapt and avoid the growing costs associated with climate change impacts, including disaster recovery.
“These projects reflect the strength of community-led planning in the delivery of sustainable water solutions and demonstrates how collaboration between governments and communities can deliver smart, effective outcomes for regional WA,” he said.
“I particularly commend the Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation for its leadership in delivering sustainable water solutions that support both community wellbeing and cultural events.”
Successful projects:
- Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation (Stages 3A and 3B) – $114,905 for the Airey Bore project for landscaping, showers, toilets, fire and dust suppression, and livestock.
- Shire of Boyup Brook – $41,125 to undertake an inspection and cleaning of the Shire’s stormwater drainage system.
- Shire of Dumbleyung – $100,000 towards the acquisition of a water tanker to support the community’s resilience against drought and enhance its firefighting capabilities.
- Shire of Dundas – $84,403 towards the restoration of Bromus Dam, for the installation of a 110-kilolitre tank, with a solar pump transferring water from the dam to the tank.
- City of Greater Geraldton: $159,840 to supply and install two 200-kilolitre water tanks – one in Wicherina and one in West Casuarinas – both of which will be connected to the current standpipe;
Shire of Morawa – $36,144 towards the purchase and installation of two 50,000 litre poly tanks at the Pintharuka Dam. - Shire of Toodyay (Stage 4) – $100,000 to upgrade and relocate water tanks across Julimar, Timberden, and Morangup to boost emergency water access and reduce reliance on scheme water in this high fire-risk area.
- Shire of Victoria Plains – $215,956 for two bores and pumps across three projects in Gillingarra to improve water access for firefighting, community use, and drought resilience in an area without scheme water.
- Shire of West Arthur – $29,425 towards the purchase and installation of two 195-kilolitre replacement water tanks crucial to the shire’s irrigation system.
- Shire of Wongan-Ballidu – $74,000 towards automation of the Oval Dam pump to transfer water to the Oval Tanks.
