Water Minister Dave Kelly today marked the start of National Water Week 2021, by acknowledging the first two years’ achievements of the inaugural Waterwise Perth Action Plan.
Launched by the McGowan Government in October 2019, and led by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, the State’s first Waterwise Perth Action Plan provides a strategic, whole-of-government approach to planning and addressing water-related issues associated with urban intensification and the increasing demand for water in the face of climate change.
Over the past two years the plan, which involves seven partner agencies and multiple industry and community stakeholders, has completed 38 key actions that have helped conserve precious water resources and enhance urban green spaces, while educating and engaging the community and delivering government-led water-sensitive policy, planning, and development.
Major achievements delivered through the plan to date include:
- 300 million litres of water saved through the Leak Assist Rebate Scheme;
- 92 million litres of water saved through the Water-efficient Showerhead Swap Scheme;
- 142.7 million litres of water saved through retrofitting of public housing with water-efficient fixtures;
- 49,000 students participated in the Waterwise Schools Program;
- 84,000 waterwise plants planted across Perth and Peel suburbs; and
- 3,500 trees planted across 18 Perth and Peel local governments.
Today also marks the start of National Water Week, a week designed to build awareness in communities and organisations around the value of water. The theme of National Water Week this year is Caring for Water and Country, which celebrates the integral role that water plays in our lives and our culture.
Caring for Water and Country aims to deepen our understanding of Australian First Nations people’s knowledge in protecting and sustaining our water and lands for over 65,000 years.
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
“National Water Week is a good time to not only reflect on the value of water to our lives, but also the impact that climate change is having on our water supplies and what we can all do to save this precious resource.
“The Waterwise Perth Action Plan helps create a clear link between water management and concepts such as urban planning, urban heat, river and wetland health, contaminated soils, public health, recreation, and biodiversity.
“It calls on everyone in the community to play a role including government, businesses, industry, local governments and households – no single organisation can transition Perth to a waterwise city on its own.
“As we launch into the next two years of the plan and release of the next Waterwise Perth Action Plan, we need to continue the collaborative, whole of government approach as Perth and Peel transition to a city that is truly waterwise and resilient to the impacts of climate change.
“The next waterwise plan will build on the successes and achievements of the first, and will be released in coming months.”
