Fremantle neighbourhood crowned WA's top waterwise development

Water Corporation chair Andrea Sutton with Platinum Development winners DevelopmentWA's Naomi Lawrance, Senior Development Manager, and Development Managert Linda Pham

• East Village at Knutsford named Waterwise Development of the Year
• 27 developments recognised for their sustainable, waterwise design since 2014
• Green-living design is key to achieving a sustainable water future

A housing development that is part of a national science research network is 2024's Waterwise Development of the Year.

Fremantle's East Village at Knutsford received the accolade for its urban greening design that aims to reduce mains water use by 80 per cent and for creating a microclimate that uses run-off from streets and lanes to sustain trees and public green spaces.

Fruit and nut trees, watered with the run-off and supplemented by ground water, are planted along verges and in public spaces, supplying residents with seasonal produce including mangoes, olives, avocados and almonds.

Developed by DevelopmentWA, each of East Village at Knutsford's 36 town homes has its own rainwater tank. 

The award is part of Water Corporation's Waterwise Development Program, created in 2014, in partnership with the Urban Development Institute of Australia. It supports developers to implement best-practice water efficiency standards in the design and delivery of new land developments.

Twenty-seven developments have been endorsed under the program, with Peel Business Park joining the ranks of waterwise developments in WA.

The Waterwise Development Program supports the WA Government's Kep Katitjin-Gabi Kaadadjan (Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2) to establish leading waterwise communities for Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030.

For more information, visit www.watercorporation.com.au/Waterwise/Waterwise-programs

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"The Cook Government continues to support water-sensitive urban design and I congratulate our award recipients and all waterwise development alumni for their work to create greener, cooler, more liveable communities.

"Sustainable design practices that make homes energy and water efficient can actively combat the effects of climate change.

"In turn, these environmentally friendly developments lower bills, increase property value, and are naturally comfortable to live in without excessive heating and cooling."

Waterwise Development Program Recognitions

Platinum Waterwise Development of the Year

A development that demonstrates over and above Gold requirements, across a range of Water Sensitive City goal areas. To be eligible, the development must be an endorsed Gold Waterwise Development.

Endorsed Waterwise Development

Developments that have met endorsement requirements