Record water project investment creates opportunities for WA businesses
The largest steel water pipe ever made in WA is forming a new trunk main for the future Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant
- $1.59 billion in Water Corporation contracts awarded to WA suppliers and contractors in the 2024-25 financial year
- Part of record investment in new water and wastewater projects across WA
- Includes $110 million spend with regional WA businesses and $16.2 million with First Nations' businesses
- $244 million committed to purchase WA-made products and supplies until 2028
- Cook Government continuing to provide quality jobs and business opportunities for Western Australians
The Cook Government's commitment to securing Western Australia's water future in a drying climate has delivered a record $1.59 billion in contracts to local businesses last financial year.
This represents a 39 per cent increase on the 2023-24 financial year, highlighting the scale of work Water Corporation is delivering to ensure growing communities continue to benefit from sustainable water and wastewater services.
More than 85 per cent of Water Corporation contracts were awarded to WA suppliers and contractors in the 2024-25 financial year. This includes $110 million to regional businesses and $16.2 million to First Nations' businesses, exceeding the WA Government's Aboriginal Procurement Policy target.
Key projects currently underway include:
- Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP);
- WA's first regional desalination plant in Onslow;
- upgrades to the Ord Irrigation Scheme in the Kimberley; and
- renewal of aging water mains across Perth.
Water Corporation is forecast to invest a further $244 million through 2028 in WA-made products such as steel pipes, valves, pump components, and operational supplies.
This includes the ASDP conveyance pipeline, with extra-large water main sections being manufactured in WA for the first time under a $58 million contract with Kwinana-based manufacturer, Steel Mains.
In total, a record $2.2 billion has been allocated to projects under Water Corporation's Asset Investment Program this financial year.
As WA's population grows and the State adapts to a drying climate, the Cook Government remains committed to investing in water and wastewater projects that deliver strong, long-term social and economic benefits for local communities, businesses, and industry.
Comments attributed to Water Minister Don Punch:
"The level of investment in water and wastewater projects across WA is unprecedented, which brings with it new opportunities to support local businesses, create local jobs and strengthen local manufacturing.
"We're determined to capitalise on these opportunities by investing in the capacity and capability of our State's workforce and delivering projects using local suppliers and contractors.
"An excellent example is at the ASDP where, for the first time, large-diameter steel pipe is now made in WA and will not need to be trucked across the Nullarbor - a win for local jobs and for local manufacturing."
Ord Irrigation Scheme channel control gate upgrades under construction