Why working in regional WA is more than just a job
Living in the picturesque town of Northam and working as Operations Support Manager for the Goldfields and Agricultural Region (GAR), Chan plays a pivotal role in maintaining our water services for around 92,000 customers who also call GAR home.
Chan is one of 160 Water Corporation employees working in GAR who service a population of around 92,000 customers. Chan says, “It takes a lot of work to ensure our water services move from Mundairing to Kalgoorlie, Wiluna to Norseman, Corrigin to Beacon, and Wubin to Beverley. We have a dedicated team of employees working across GAR and beyond to deliver our services to the WA community, and I’m really proud to be a part of that team.”
Chan preparing for a day out in the field
The perks of working in Northam
Northam’s rich cultural history, rural landscape, rolling hills, and lush green fields offer a very different lifestyle from Chan’s upbringing on a strawberry farm.
“My weekends were spent in the packing shed, boxing punnets, and enjoying the best-looking strawberries, It was hands-on work where I really appreciated how the work is linked to the natural surroundings" she recalls fondly.
Now working in Northam, just 97km outside of Perth, Chan finds a similar sense of connection to her surroundings, even if in a very different setting.
“Working in Northam, I get to witness some truly breathtaking sights as part of my daily routine. It’s known for its tourist attractions, so some mornings I’ll see hot air balloons drifting across the sky on the way to the office. And during wildflower seasons, the landscape really changes as flowers blooms into colour. It always makes me smile and appreciate how lucky I am to work in this beautiful town.”
Chan taking in the view while hiking in Northam
Work with a real sense of purpose
Joining Water Corporation six years ago as a Graduate Program participant, Chan jumped at the opportunity to expand her career by working in GAR. Over the last 12 months, her team have been at the forefront of a major vegetation control project which involves reducing the presence of weeds, grass and other invasive vegetation around our pipes to ensure better access for inspection, maintenance and repair.
"Controlling the vegetation around our assets is a relatively unknown and unseen task by the public, yet it’s critical work. If left to grow, dense vegetation can make the maintenance of our assets nearly impossible and unsafe, especially around large trees," Chan explains.
“There’s great satisfaction in knowing that my contributions to this project safeguards water for the regions. It gives real purpose to my role, knowing the work I do plays a part in helping our water services continue across the state”, Chan adds.
When she’s not working on this key project, Chan shares that her day-to-day duties can be very diverse, “I love the variety that my role brings as no two days are ever the same. One moment we might be reviewing the plans for a new wastewater treatment plant, and the next, ensuring we have the right type of equipment in stock for the field crew."
Unique experiences and a supportive lifestyle
Chan getting her hands dirty while working on-site
Chan admits that even after six years across six unique roles, she’s still learning every day! Reflecting on her time in Northam, she recalls the ‘GAR Storm Incident’ as both one of the biggest challenges and personal accomplishments in her career.
"In 2024, there was a once in a lifetime storm that required 22 generators and the support of 200 employees to manage the water. I was proud to be part of the incident management, and it’s probably an event I may never encounter again in my career," she says.
The variety of work, learning and personal growth aren’t the only things that that keep Chan working at Water Corporation. As she journeys into parenthood, she has found that the support provided for working parents to manage the delicate balance between work and family life to be one of the most meaningful benefits.
"As a mum-to-be, there is a sense of assurance to know that I’ll be supported with parental leave and flexible working arrangements which will allow me to be more present for school holidays and of course, the day-to-day school run. There is no dollar value to that level of support and care," she notes.
When not at the Northam office you can find Chan hiking in the walking trails and visiting the beach in Perth.
"My husband is an avid boater, so if the weather is good, we often spend time on the river," she adds.
Chan soaking in nature while boating with her husband
Chan's story is a testament to the shared dedication and hard work of Water Corporation employees to ensure that water services reach every corner of Western Australia. Having recently begun her maternity leave, we wish Chan all the best for her next exciting chapter and look forward to welcoming her back in 2026!
Thrive as you shape Western Australia's water future
When your work provides important services across Western Australia, such as drinking water to over 2 million people every day, the opportunities are as vast as our landscape.
We have roles located across the state - whether you’re in the south, north, west, east or somewhere in between, your work will ripple out to the heart of the community.
Best of all, as a large organisation, we can provide you with career opportunities to move between roles, teams and locations while staying with one employer. Enjoy career stability, meaningful work and genuine work-life balance, all while living the great lifestyle that regional Western Australia has to offer.