The growth of Western Australia’s Ningaloo Region as a major tourist destination has been bolstered thanks to a $2.4 million upgrade of wastewater infrastructure in Coral Bay funded by the McGowan Government.
Completion of the project, announced today by Water Minister Dave Kelly, saw a second evaporation pond built at the Coral Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, allowing it to receive an extra 45,000 litres of wastewater daily.
A spillway has also been constructed, connecting the existing evaporation pond and emergency infiltration area to better protect the environment and infrastructure from potential overflows during extreme rainfall events.
Delivered by Water Corporation, the project will support the continued growth of tourism in the town, while also catering for the expansion of existing businesses and accommodation providers.
More than $230,000 was invested back into the local economy, with quarry materials and concrete supplied by local sub-contractors in Exmouth, and some plant hire, water supply and accommodation from Bullara Station.
The project has helped to support local jobs in the Gascoyne region as Western Australia continues its strong economic performance through the pandemic.
Since 2017, the McGowan Government, through Water Corporation, has invested more than $180 million in new and existing water and wastewater projects in the Mid-West Region, including the Gascoyne.
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
“Visitors to WA’s Ningaloo Region contributed around $110 million to the WA economy in 2020 and tourism in the region provides more than 1,000 local jobs.
“It’s vital we have the infrastructure in place behind the scenes to allow communities like Coral Bay to grow and prosper into world-class tourist destinations.
“Through this project, the McGowan Government has made a direct investment in Coral Bay’s future, supporting new and existing businesses, tourism providers and growth of the wider community.”
As stated by Peter Foster MLC:
“The McGowan Government is investing millions to support tourism projects in the Gascoyne, with the industry accounting for around 90 per cent of the local economy.
“This project will support the long-term growth of a sustainable tourism industry in Coral Bay, which in turn helps local businesses and creates jobs.
“It’s especially pleasing to see Water Corporation’s strong focus on environmental stewardship with the construction of an infiltration pond to mitigate the risk of an overflow after periods of heavy rain.”
