Shadow Minister for Water, Peter Rundle MLA, has accused the Cook Labor Government of failing to make water security in the State’s north a priority after the Water Minister failed to explain the Government’s plan to deliver a long-term water supply in the Pilbara.
Mr Rundle said a recent announcement that bores would be relocated away from the Millstream aquifer – as part of Indigenous Land Use Agreement negotiations – with no alternative water source identified.
“While the Millstream aquifer underpins the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme, the Cook Labor Government has reduced abstraction limits from 15 gigalitres a year down to just six gigalitres, with further reductions now likely as a result of bore relocation,” Mr Rundle said.
“Without an alternative source in place, either a new bore field or desalination plant, the region will simply not have the water security to meet residential, industrial, and mining demands in the near future.”
Mr Rundle demanded the Government reveal what new water sources, infrastructure projects, or supply-agreements have been identified as priorities for the Pilbara.
“In the midst of a statewide housing crisis, the lack of a reliable water supply in the West Pilbara will hamper land release and new homes in Karratha and surrounding communities, and industry in the region also needs the certainty of a development-ready water supply.
“The lack of planning and water-security threatens regional growth and development.”
Mr Rundle said the Water Minister’s response during Question Time was deeply concerning.
“The Minister failed to outline a single new project or water source in the West Pilbara, and instead blamed the former Liberal-National Government for the water shortages which have occurred after eight years under the Cook Labor Government,” Mr Rundle said.
“The desalination plants in Alkimos and Albany which the Minister spoke about are thousands of kilometres from the Pilbara and will offer no relief for Karratha when drinking water supplies run dry.”
Mr Rundle called on the Government to deliver a long-term roadmap for Pilbara water supply, including timelines, costs, and planning, to provide communities and industry with clarity about the future of their water resources.
Member for the Legislative Council Julie Freeman MLC said it was clear water security was an issue right across the Pilbara and called on the State Government to take it seriously.
“Earlier this year, the Water Corporation advised the Town of Port Hedland that the local supply scheme was at ‘effective capacity’ and that new housing developments could not proceed until an additional source became operational after 2030,” Ms Freeman said.
“While that advice has since been modified, the underlying message remains – the State Government is failing to keep pace with water demands and climate change in WA’s north.”