Cook Government announces major funding boost improve state’s neglected water infrastructure

WA’s ageing water and wastepipe infrastructure will get some much needed attention in the upcoming State Budget with $166.7 million in extra funding for maintenance. The funding boost is part of $2.7 billion to be spent on improving the State’s water supplies in next financial year. The maintenance top-up will be spent over two years across the 2.5 million square kilometre network which includes 34,000 kilometres of water mains and 17,000km of wastewater mains. In total, $269 million has been allocated for maintenance in 2026-27. The West Australian earlier this month revealed the Economic Regulation Authority had slammed the State-owned Water Corporation for under-investing in maintenance despite a $1 billion profit last year. The Water Corporation copped a deluge of angry complaints last year after sewage bursts in Caversham and Spearwood. The West also revealed hundreds of pipe hangers under the Narrows Bridge were at risk of catastrophic failure and overdue for replacement. ERA chair Steve Edwell said an audit “found a significant gap between planning and action”. “The Water Corporation - like its interstate peers - has major challenges ahead with rapidly aging infrastructure on one hand and funding new infrastructure to meet increasing demand and dwindling supplies in traditional catchments on the other,” he said. As part of the $2.7 billion spend in the water portfolio, $606 million has been allocated to support the construction of Stage 2 of the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant. Once operational, it will provide eight billion litres of water to the Pilbara annually, providing drinking water to more than 10,000 homes in Karratha, Wickham, Roebourne and Point Sampson. A new water source will be the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant, due to start production in 2028. The under-construction desalination plant will supply up to 50 billion litres of drinkable water to WA households, with a 33.5-kilometre pipeline to connect the new plant to the Wanneroo Reservoir, which feeds into the integrated Water Supply Scheme. More than $64 million will be spent on upgrades and various initiatives across the integrated water supply scheme. And a Regional Water Source Fund was also being established, with $52 million to “support planning and investment” in the regions. “This Budget invests in WA’s water future by strengthening water security across Perth and regional communities while supporting jobs and economic growth throughout the State,” Water Minister Don Punch said. “By investing in new water sources, desalination, and essential maintenance across WA, we’re future‑proofing our State by supporting workers, protecting communities and ensuring water security in a changing climate.” Treasurer Rita Saffioti will deliver her third budget on May 7. Ms Saffioti has already said that spends on health and housing will be big parts of her budget - along with cost-of-living relief in light of extra pressures caused by fuel shortages and hikes since the start of the US war with Iran in late February. On Friday, the Cook announced a $339.9 million spend on improving road safety across the State. Included in that spend is $60.7 million to go towards the expansion of “awareness programmes, community partnerships and school education programmes”.