City of Perth - leading the way in waterwise urban management
Key achievements
- Groundwater consumption 29.28% below what is allowed under their licence, saving the equivalent of 95 Olympic swimming pools
- Reducing their reliance on groundwater by capturing 60,000kL from the Claisebrook Main Drain
- Won awards for irrigation scheduling and stormwater harvesting at the 2024 Irrigation National Awards
- Planted 131 street trees and transitioned landscapes to native species (reducing water use by 30%)
- Highlighting the community’s connection between waterwise gardening and urban greening
Overview
The City of Perth spans just over 19 square kilometres in land, located on the northern banks of the Swan River with over 11 kilometres of river frontage. The City is privileged to be home to sites of cultural and historical significance to the Whadjuk people including Gargatup (Kings Park), Matagarup (Heirisson Island), Pinjar (the lakes), and Byerbrup (ridge line linking Gargatup and Matagarup).
The City of Perth is committed to sustainable water management, securing water supplies and enhancing green spaces for future generations. Through smart irrigation, stormwater harvesting and community engagement, the City is making a real impact on climate resilience.
Key initiatives
Water efficiency
Using evapotranspiration-based scheduling for maximum efficiency in irrigation and monitoring systems to optimise water use.
May tree month
The City of Perth engaged 500 attendees during workshops and community events held throughout the month, with May Tree Month social media reaching 182,690 people. Participants who attended community planting days planted 280 trees and 1,600 waterwise plants.
Urban greening strategy
The 2024-26 Urban Greening Strategy is a long-term initiative by the City of Perth to plan and create a cooler, greener and more resilient city.
How it was done
The City of Perth took thoughtful steps to improve its irrigation network by introducing live monitoring systems that detect faults in real-time, therefore enhancing water efficiency. By expanding stormwater harvesting projects and adopting best-practice irrigation methods, the City reduced water wastage and maximised resource use. Collaboration with experts and local governments played a key role in sharing knowledge and fostering relationships to strengthen waterwise initiatives.
What’s next
Looking ahead, the City is dedicated to strengthening its commitment to waterwise initiatives. Plans include increasing stormwater harvesting from the Claisebrook Main Drain, exploring innovative technologies such as greywater and condensate reuse and advancing urban greening strategies to maintain vibrant, resilient public spaces. By continuing to embrace collaboration and sustainable practices, the City aims to create a greener, waterwise and climate resilient future for its community.
Learn more about the program
Learn more about how we are working cooperatively with local governments in Western Australia and acknowledging councils that are demonstrating leadership in sustainable water management.