Published on Wednesday, 18 December 2024 at 12:24:12 PM
Recycled water is one of the City’s most valuable resources, and we are committed to its equitable distribution across our community while pursuing sustainable long-term solutions for its continued supply.
For some time, the City has been working closely with recycled water users to assess their specific needs and adjust allocations accordingly. These adjustments are essential to balancing increasing demand while maintaining our parks, gardens, and sporting facilities at the high standards we all value and enjoy.
In 2023, the City openly communicated with users and the wider community about the ongoing recycled water shortage. Users were notified of restrictions based on their requirements, with some experiencing reductions from their previous unlimited access, depending on rainfall.
Since July 2023, the City’s pricing structure for recycled water has been set at $2.50 per kilolitre—representing a break-even rate for supply. Previously, the City heavily subsidised this cost and allowed unrestricted usage. However, to ensure long-term availability for all users, the City must take a more sustainable approach to managing supply.
From keeping our parks and sporting fields green to supporting local businesses, industries, and events. We know how vital recycled water is for our region.
While a long-term solution for sustainable recycled water supply has always been necessary, and planning has been underway, we recognise that progress on infrastructure development has not advanced as far as we had hoped.
The reality is that we cannot do or fund this alone. It requires significant investment from funding sources who are as committed to the future of our city as we are.
In response to the region’s growing water demands, the City developed the Water Bank Project, a multi-phase initiative to increase water storage capacity. Phase 1, valued at $19 million, includes constructing additional water storage, improving water infrastructure, and providing long-term solutions to bolster water security for our community.
The City has also invested in infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, road and drainage works to capture stormwater, and the redevelopment of Charles Street to support additional water capture opportunities for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club (KBRC). But the City’s budget can only stretch so far.
The City has been actively seeking funding support for the Water Bank Project to minimise costs to ratepayers and allow investment in other community priorities.
Over the past 14 months, the Mayor and CEO have travelled to Canberra to meet with Federal Ministers and policy advisors, advocating for the project and addressing the recycled water shortage. This is in addition to numerous discussions with the State Government and stakeholders on the current situation and infrastructure required.
These discussions are not new, and the City has continuously met with stakeholders, including the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club (KBRC), for some time to provide assistance and work towards solutions. This has included the City putting forward options on behalf of the KBRC to higher levels of government for the development of onsite storage for stormwater capture and exploring supplemental freshwater connections.
The City remains committed to working with all stakeholders to identify viable, sustainable solutions for recycled water management in our city.
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