WA councils leading the way towards a water-efficient future

Water Minister Simone McGurk with Platinum Waterwise Council of the Year recipients, City of Stirling and Town of Cambridge. 

• 48 councils State-wide now endorsed through the Waterwise Council Program 
• City of Stirling and Town of Cambridge earn special accolade for water-saving success
• Leisure centres in Albany and Kwinana named Waterwise Aquatic Centre of the Year

The State's leading waterwise councils have been crowned at a special event to recognise leading sustainability practices and the water saving efforts of Western Australian local governments and aquatic centres.
 
Two Perth councils - the City of Stirling and Town of Cambridge - took out the coveted Platinum Waterwise Council of the Year award in recognition of their innovative efforts to reduce water consumption and improve efficiency.
 
The award was presented by Water Minister Simone McGurk as part of the Waterwise Council Program - an initiative of Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to encourage waterwise practices among local governments.
 
Beginning in 2009, the program is one of several industry-leading initiatives helping ensure all water users in the community do their bit to conserve precious water supplies.
 
The City of Stirling was recognised for encouraging ratepayers to choose native waterwise plants during a series of pop-up garden workshops, and for launching its Sustainable Verge Awards program. Special mention was also made of the City's efforts to reduce groundwater consumption at Grindleford Reserve in Balcatta through hydro-zoning technology.
 
The Town of Cambridge was acknowledged for making waterwise upgrades at several local parks and reserves, including Perry Lakes where a stormwater diversion project has helped replenish water levels and created a breeding habitat for swans.
 
Forty eight councils State-wide are now endorsed through the Waterwise Council Program, including the City of Cockburn which marked 10 years participation. The Town of East Fremantle, City of Gosnells, City of Melville and City of Karratha each earned gold recognition.
 
The event also celebrated participants in Water Corporation's Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program, created in partnership with the Leisure Institute of WA Aquatics.
 
Albany Leisure Centre and Kwinana Recquatic were named joint Platinum Waterwise Aquatic Centre of the Year, while Northam Aquatic Facility in the Shire of Northam and Swan Active Beechboro in the City of Swan earned gold recognition.
 
The programs also support the McGowan Government's Kep Katitjin-Gabi Kaadadjan (Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2) to establish leading waterwise communities for Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030.
 
To find out more about the Waterwise Council and Aquatic Centre Programs, visit www.watercorporation.com.au/Waterwise/Waterwise-programs.
 
Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:
 
"In the face of climate change and declining rainfall, never has it been more important to work together to build climate-resilient and waterwise communities. 
 
"Through the Waterwise Council and Aquatic Centre programs, local governments and recreation centres have access to expert support from Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to make meaningful changes in how they use water. 
 
"Make no mistake, these programs can and do make a real difference. Take for example the Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program, which has saved a whopping 1.58 billion litres of water since 2008 – that's around 700 Olympic swimming pools of water.
 
"The McGowan Government, through Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation remains committed to ensuring secure, sustainable drinking water for all Western Australians now and into the future.
 
"On behalf of the WA Government, I'd like to congratulate each waterwise endorsed council and aquatic centre for their commitment to water efficiency." 
 
Minister's office - 6552 6600

Waterwise Council Program

Platinum Waterwise Council of the Year 

Awarded to councils demonstrating innovation and achievements over and above Gold requirements. To be eligible, the Local Government Authority must be an endorsed Gold Waterwise Council.

New Gold Waterwise Councils 

Awarded to councils demonstrating actions across all Water Sensitive City goal areas.

Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program

Platinum Waterwise Aquatic Centre of the Year 

Awarded to the aquatic centre demonstrating innovation and achievements over and above Gold requirements.

Gold Waterwise Aquatic Centres 

Awarded for demonstrating best practice water management in an Aquatic Centre.

Platinum Waterwise Aquatic Centre of the Year recipient, Kwinana Recquatic, with Water Minister Simone McGurk and others. 

City of Stirling's pop-up garden workshop. 

Town of Cambridge's Perry Lakes drainage outlet.