Perth's next major water source contract to deliver jobs boost

Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant concept illustration showing the plant incorporated into the natural dune system

• Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP) contract to support 155 jobs for apprentices and trainees
• $950 million of the total contract value to be spent with WA businesses
• Northern Water Partnership to operate ASDP under alliance model with Water Corporation

More than 1,300 local jobs, including for Western Australian apprentices and trainees, will be created and supported under a new major contract to design, build and operate Perth's next large-scale seawater desalination plant.  

Water Minister Simone McGurk today confirmed a consortium of Acciona Agua Australia, Acciona Construction and Jacobs Group Australia - known as the Northern Water Partnership (NWP) - will deliver Stage 1 of the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant.

The $2.8 billion plant and associated projects will provide an initial 50 billion litres of climate-resilient drinking water when commissioned in 2028, with a future second stage doubling capacity to 100 billion litres annually.

In addition to design and construction, NWP will also operate ASDP under an alliance model with Water Corporation for at least 10 years from 2028. The alliance will be known as the Alkimos Seawater Alliance.

The contract provides for employment and development opportunities for at least 155 apprentices and trainees - representing 11.5 per cent of the total workforce.

Among the project's 1,300 direct and indirect jobs will be a peak onsite workforce of 600, supported by a further 200 office-based roles.

More than $950 million of the total contract value will be spent with WA contractors and subcontractors, with at least $59 million going towards Aboriginal businesses.

Work to prepare the site began late last year, with nearly half a million cubic meters of soil already moved. Construction of the plant and associated network integration projects is scheduled to start mid-2024.

ASDP will have net-zero greenhouse gas emissions during construction and operation and will allow Water Corporation to reduce its groundwater abstraction by 30 billion litres a year - helping to preserve healthy wetlands, parks, forests and public open spaces in Perth's north.

The project has received environmental approval from Commonwealth and State regulators and will be carefully designed to protect the surrounding environment.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"Awarding this contract represents another key milestone in this major project which will future proof water supply for more than 2.5 million Western Australians.

"As the Minister for Training and Workforce Development, it's pleasing to see Water Corporation prioritise employment and development opportunities for apprentices and trainees, to grow the future workforce." 

Comments attributed to Butler MLA John Quigley:

"This is a big opportunity for our State's construction sector, with $950 million to be spent with local contractors and subcontractors.

"Our Government is investing in a climate-resilient, secure water supply for more than 2.5 million Western Australians."

Bird's-eye view of the Alkimos Water Precinct and the location of the future desalination plant