New Waterwise plan to strengthen climate resilience in Perth-Peel

• Cook Government launches new Waterwise plan outlining the next steps totransform Perth and Peel to leading Waterwise communities by 2030
• Waterwise plans are part of the State Government's response to help tackle the impacts of climate change and build a more climate-resilient and water-secure future
• Under the Waterwise Program, Western Australians are using 24 billion litres less water

To mark the start of National Water Week, Water Minister Simone McGurk today launched Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan, the third Waterwise Action Plan for Perth and Peel.

The Waterwise Program has been embraced by Western Australians, saving around one billion litres of residential water and almost 23 billion litres of non-residential water, as well as supporting the planting of 10,110 trees and 295,400 waterwise plants from its beginning in October 2019. 

These results have been achieved by supporting residents to save water and working with businesses to use water more efficiently.

The third Waterwise Action Plan builds on the success of the first two plans, with eight new initiatives and 35 ongoing actions. The plan is designed to promote the protection of our precious water resources, while managing the challenges of climate change, population growth, and urbanisation.

Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise Action Plan 3 complements State Government initiatives to support urban greening and will also extend its focus beyond Perth and Peel. 

Under the new plan, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation will investigate the expansion of the Waterwise Program to priority regional urban centres, recognising the unique water challenges and opportunities these communities face.

Delivered by 11 State Government agencies, in partnership with local governments, businesses, research and community organisations, the Waterwise plan has been recognised nationally, winning the Organisational Excellence Award at the Australian Water Awards earlier this year.

Kep Katitjin and Gabi Kaadadjan are the Whadjuk and Bindjareb Noongar terms for 'water knowledge'.

For more information on the plan please visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/service/natural-resources/water-resources/program-kep-katitjin-gabi-kaadadjan-waterwise-action-plan-3

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"Our award-winning Waterwise Program has been embraced by Western Australians, and the launch of the third Waterwise Action Plan will continue and strengthen important work underway to transform Perth and Peel into leading Waterwise communities.

"Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise Action Plan 3 forms part of the Cook Government's response to tackle the impacts of climate change with many of the plan's actions seeking to improve biodiversity, urban greening and tree canopy - supporting urban cooling across our Perth and Peel regions.

"Activities in the new Waterwise Action Plan demonstrate the breadth and depth of State Government and local government work to build climate adaptation and resilience."