Wastewater works underway to support growth in Perth's north-east

Construction is set to begin on a $73 million Water Corporation project to deliver essential wastewater infrastructure in Perth's fast-growing north-east.

Works include a 14.2-kilometre wastewater pipeline between Ellenbrook and Wangara, as well as major upgrades to a pumping station near the intersection of Gnangara Road and Drumpellier Drive in Henley Brook.

It will allow more wastewater to be safely conveyed for treatment, and support housing development in the City of Swan's Urban Growth Corridor, which includes Ellenbrook, Brabham, Dayton and Caversham.

Close to 1,600 separate sections of pipeline will be used during construction, with valves, pipe and some fittings manufactured and supplied by Perth-based businesses.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed an additional 11,500 people moved to Aveley, Ellenbrook, Bullsbrook, Beechboro and The Vines between 2019 and 2023. Nearby Brabham and Henley Brook added nearly 4,800 residents over the same period.

Around 132,000 additional residents are expected to call the City of Swan home by 2050, making it one of Australia's fastest-growing local government areas.

The 18-month project is expected to employ 150 people and involve tunnelling under Gnangara Road, Mirrabooka Avenue, Hartman Drive and Tonkin Highway to minimise traffic disruption.

It follows significant recent State Government investment in the City of Swan.

In March 2024, Water Corporation completed a $36.5 million project to deliver a new drinking water pipeline in Henley Brook and an 18-kilometre wastewater pipeline from Bullsbrook to Ellenbrook.

Work is also underway to install a 900-metre drinking water pipeline along The Broadway in Ellenbrook.

The Cook Government has committed $1.7 billion this financial year to new water, wastewater and drainage projects across Western Australia.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"Perth remains Australia's fastest-growing capital city, which highlights the need for strong investment in essential service infrastructure.

"Nowhere is that growth clearer than in the City of Swan's Urban Growth Corridor, which encompasses suburbs like Ellenbrook, Brabham, Dayton and Caversham.

"We're always looking to the future when planning these sorts of projects to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of growing communities."

Comments attributed to Housing Minister John Carey:

"New wastewater upgrades in our northern suburbs will support Perth's fast-growing northern communities and will provide essential new infrastructure to bolster housing supply in northern-corridor suburbs including Ellenbrook, Brabham, Dayton and Caversham.

"We're also providing funding to unlock new housing developments across WA through our $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund, supporting upfront costs of headworks for important metropolitan infill projects and key worker accommodation across the regions."

Comments attributed to West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti:

"Over the next 30 years, more people are expected to move to Perth's north-eastern suburbs, fuelled in part by transformational projects like the Morley-Ellenbrook METRONET rail line.

"To meet this growth, the WA Government is continuing to invest in new projects that ensure current and future residents benefit from reliable water and wastewater services."