Securing Water for the Future

The Nationals WA in Government will back the Shire of Carnarvon’s Integrated Water Solution project, providing the $2.3 million needed to deliver a sustainable and long-term water strategy for the town’s public spaces.

Leader of The Nationals WA and Candidate for Mid-West Shane Love MLA, said the project is critical to the success of the Greening Carnarvon Initiative, which aims to enhance the town’s liveability, create natural shade, and improve recreational spaces for residents and visitors.

“Ensuring Carnarvon has a secure and sustainable water supply is absolutely essential to keeping our parks, sporting fields, and green spaces vibrant and usable for the whole community.”

“This project is a smart, strategic approach to managing water resources, making better use of artesian water, recycled water, groundwater, and potable water to maintain and enhance public spaces.” Mr Love said.

“The Integrated Water Solution will optimise water usage across Carnarvon by coordinating multiple water sources, reducing reliance on scheme water while ensuring the town’s recreational spaces are properly maintained.”

Mr Love said the project would increase community pride, improve local amenity, and support Carnarvon’s tourism appeal, helping to create a greener, more welcoming town.

“The Nationals WA recognise how important these open spaces are to the Gascoyne, both for recreation and for enhancing Carnarvon’s appeal as a destination,” Mr Love said.

“Unlike WA Labor, which focuses exclusively on metropolitan Perth, The Nationals WA recognise the Gascoyne’s vital role in the future of Northern Western Australia. We want to see the region prosper, grow, and reach its full potential.”

“With a focus on practical, long-term solutions, The Nationals WA will continue to support regional communities with better infrastructure, sustainable water policies, and real investment to create thriving towns and a strong future for the North West.”

The Nationals WA have announced a commitment to develop a detailed business case and begin planning for
a desalination plant in Esperance, to provide long-term water solution for Kalgoorlie-Boulder and surrounding
communities.

Nationals WA candidate for Kalgoorlie, Tony Herron, said the project would address persistent water shortages
in the region and support future growth for both residents and industries.

“The CY O’Connor pipeline was a visionary project in its time, but after 120 years, it’s struggling to meet
demand,” Mr Herron said.

“The Goldfields desperately needs a sustainable, reliable water supply to support community growth, mining
operations, and local industries.

“The Nationals WA will put $2 million on the table to fund a business case to thoroughly investigate the
feasibility of a desalination plant in Esperance, delivering water to communities like Norseman, Kambalda, and
Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

“And we will set aside a $100 million from Royalties for Regions as cornerstone funding to get started on
making this project a reality – future-proofing the Goldfields and ensuring water isn’t a barrier to growth.”

Mr Herron highlighted the potential to repurpose existing infrastructure, such as the disused gas pipeline
between Esperance and Kalgoorlie, to transport water.

“In the short term, this infrastructure could even be used to pump seawater to the Goldfields for industrial use,
as it has lower salinity than some local groundwater, Mr Herron said.

“In the long term, a desalination plant would provide drought-proof water security, ensuring households,
businesses and industries in the Goldfields have the resources they need, no matter the rainfall.

“Kalgoorlie residents have endured years of water restrictions, which have impacted gardens, community
spaces and sports grounds.

“The current situation is unsustainable, and the lack of action by WA Labor has left vital community groups like
the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Race Club in dire straits.”

Nationals WA Leader Shane Love MLA said securing additional water for the Goldfields was critical to
supporting the region’s growth and addressing its unique challenges.

“Water is as precious as gold for inland communities like Kalgoorlie-Boulder,” Mr Love said.

“Water is currently a limiting factor to expansion of the Goldfields population and economy; this
transformational project would remove that limitation.

“While Kalgoorlie has nearly enough water the moment to serve its needs, nearly enough is not enough.

Mr Love said a desalination plant producing 30 megalitres of water per day would unlock over 10 gigalitres of
water annually.

“That’s enough to meet the needs of every household in the Goldfields, with capacity to support the expansion
of mining and other industries.

“By pumping water directly from Esperance, we could not only increase supply but also create a vital backup
system in case of power failures or damage to the CY O’Connor pipeline.

“With the disused gas pipeline between Kalgoorlie and Esperance already in place, now is the perfect time to
investigate how this infrastructure and the associated corridor could support a new desalination project.”

Member for Roe, Peter Rundle MLA, said the project would be a significant economic driver for both
Esperance and Kalgoorlie.

“Constructing and operating a desalination plant and pipeline would create hundreds of jobs during the
development phase and ongoing opportunities during operation,” Mr Rundle said.

“This project has the potential to stimulate the local economies of Esperance and Kalgoorlie, bringing direct
benefits to businesses, suppliers, and local industries.”