Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Water works to help combat Perth’s urban sprawl
A multi-million-dollar upgrade of Perth’s water infrastructure is part of a plan to increase the amount of high-density home development.
May 2, 2023
Western Australia will spend $55 million upgrading water infrastructure in a bid to increase urban infill in and around Perth.
The state government funding, to be included in May’s state budget, is expected to deliver 15,000 new homes in areas selected for higher-density development.
Water Minister Simone McGurk said the work to be completed over the next decade would fuel metropolitan housing development.
“As the population of Perth and Peel grows, it’s vital that new affordable, diverse and higher density housing precincts are developed close to public transport,” she said on Tuesday.
“For land to be subdivided or redeveloped, upgrades are often needed to the water and wastewater infrastructure hidden beneath our feet.”
This includes installing larger pipes to supply more water to more homes and building new pump stations to take wastewater away for treatment.
WA’s principal supplier of water, wastewater and drainage services, Water Corporation, will oversee the project at seven sites, including Bennett Springs, Morley, Malaga, Redcliffe, Meltham, Kelmscott and the future Yanchep train station in Perth’s north.
Industrial precincts in Kenwick and Maddington will also be connected to sewer lines, as part of the upgrades.