- Kimberley community first to receive
water upgrades under 10-year program to deliver safer and more reliable water
services in Aboriginal communities
- WA's first licensed wastewater
treatment plant in an Aboriginal community
- Water Corporation program being delivered
in partnership with Aboriginal communities for equitable experience and
increased opportunities
Mowanjum, near Derby, is the first community to receive improved water
infrastructure under the Cook Government's long-term commitment to raise the
standard of water services in Aboriginal communities across Western Australia.
Completed through Water Corporation's new Aboriginal
Communities Water Services (ACWS) program, the $8.3 million upgrades have
enabled Mowanjum's wastewater treatment plant to become the State's first
licensed plant in an Aboriginal community.
The community-led project was delivered by an Aboriginal-owned
contractor, Kimberley Civil and Drainage, and involved construction of two new wastewater
treatment ponds and relining the existing treatment ponds. The upgrades will
enhance the operational and environmental performance of the plant and support
future population growth in the community.
Mowanjum, located on Nyikina-Mangala land, is the first major upgrade to
be completed since Water Corporation assumed responsibility for water services
in 141 Aboriginal communities from Department of Communities earlier this year.
The 10-year (2023-2033) ACWS program will ensure Aboriginal communities have
access to reliable drinking water that meets Australian Drinking Water
Guidelines and wastewater services that meet or exceed relevant standards under
the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Water Corporation is partnering with Aboriginal communities on all
aspects of the ACWS program, including ways to increase opportunities, while
contributing to a strong community-controlled sector and improved health
outcomes. Engagement has commenced with 32 of the communities to better
understand their individual requirements and identify potential improvements.
Commencing in April 2024, Water Corporation will deliver a further $2
million minor works program in Mowanjum, including upgrading a wastewater pump
station, pipe renewals, and an irrigation project to create green community
spaces that support positive health outcomes.
Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:
"Everyone has the right to safe and reliable water services, which is
why the Cook Government is committed to ensuring Aboriginal communities across
WA receive water services that meet or exceed the relevant standard under
Closing the Gap.
"The upgrades in Mowanjum are the first, important step for this
long-term program, which will progressively upgrade water infrastructure in
Aboriginal communities over the next 10 years.
"By working together with the communities, Water Corporation will not
only be improving water services but also helping affect long-term change that
improves the health and wellbeing of residents."
Comments attributed to Aboriginal Affairs
Minister Tony Buti:
"This is a life-changing program by the Cook Government to ensure
Aboriginal communities can access safe and reliable drinking water.
"I am very pleased that this program is
underway and will deliver a host of benefits to these communities and the bonus
is the Mowanjum upgrades were delivered by an Aboriginal contractor, Kimberley
Civil and Drainage.
"The initiative supports empowerment, self-determination and
wellbeing for Aboriginal people which is in line with the WA Government
Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy."
Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina
D'Anna:
"Mowanjum is a wonderful community, and I welcome the Cook Government's
investment in its water services.
"Safe, efficient, and reliable water services are a foundation of
healthy, sustainable communities. Over the next 10 years, Water Corporation's
program will help enhance health and wellbeing outcomes in Aboriginal
communities, and further progress our State's reconciliation journey."
Water Corporation's Aboriginal Communities
Water Services fact file
- Water
Corporation's Aboriginal Communities Water Services program manages water
services in 141 Aboriginal communities across WA.
- Staged
over 10 years, it will deliver water infrastructure upgrades to provide safer
and more reliable water services.
- As a
State-owned water utility, Water Corporation has the expertise to ensure these Aboriginal
communities receive water services that meet or exceed the relevant standard
under the National Agreement on Closing the
Gap.
- Previously,
management of water services in these communities sat with Department of
Communities before the WA Government transferred responsibility to Water
Corporation on 1 July 2023.
- The 141
communities, of varying sizes, are located in:
- Kimberley
(101 communities);
- Pilbara
and Mid West (26 communities); and
- Goldfields
and Central (14 communities).
- Water
Corporation has overall management of the services with operational support delivered
by existing local and Aboriginal-owned regional service providers, who maintain
the water services and infrastructure.
- Improved
monitoring and reporting is being implemented to better understand individual requirements
and identify potential improvements, following comprehensive infrastructure
condition assessments.
- Communities
with critical water service concerns, such as operational safety, water quality
and water reliability, will be prioritised for upgrades.
- Under
the previous Essential and Municipal Services Upgrade Program, Mowanjum,
Ardyaloon, Bayulu, Bidyadanga, Djarindjin, Lombadina and Beagle Bay, as well as
several town-based communities, were identified as priority communities for
water and wastewater upgrades.
For further information on ACWS, visit: www.watercorporation.com.au/ACWS
