Infrastructure WA

48. Modernise legislative, regulatory and planning frameworks for water resources and water services by:

1. prioritising the development and introduction to Parliament of consolidated and modernised water resources management legislation that:
   • supports contemporary, best-practice and responsible water resource management
   • improves the definition and security of water entitlements
   • facilitates a balanced approach to water trading (including addressing barriers in state agreements)
   • responds to evolving conditions such as climate change
   • considers the cultural and spiritual value of water to Aboriginal people when making allocation or other resource decisions.
2. developing, publishing and implementing a 20-year state water strategy, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including Aboriginal groups, that:
   • considers economic, social and environmental factors, including population growth, industry needs (such as growing a hydrogen industry) and key shocks and stresses, including climate change
   • defines and identifies strategic water resources
   • sets objectives and measurable targets to achieve long-term water security for the state, considering circular economy principles and multi-source water planning
   • identifies appropriately scaled solutions (local, decentralised or large scheme) that deliver optimised outcomes 
   • articulates a planning and policy framework, identifying the roles of all levels of government, the water services sector and the private sector to support state development objectives
   • is reviewed and refreshed on a 5-year cycle
3. developing, publishing and implementing 10+ year regional water plans (including for Perth and Peel) in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including Aboriginal groups, that:
   • align with the state water strategy, regional land use plans and other relevant policies
   • respond to the economic, social and environmental drivers and issues of each region 
   • consider outcomes of the strategic review of water and land-use values (see Recommendation 53)
   • are based on up-to-date science and evidence
   • address water allocation and supply, and set out infrastructure and investment requirements
   • are prioritised according to level of risk and need and are refreshed on a 5-year cycle
4. including provisions in planning and regulatory frameworks that enable investments in appropriately scaled, locally integrated alternative water supplies and wastewater systems 
5. consistent with Recommendation 26 in the Planning and coordination chapter, clearly articulate water resource needs, drainage and infrastructure requirements in land-use and infrastructure servicing plans. Planning should ensure that:
   • there is early consideration of the locational availability of water resources and servicing options so that the real capital and operational costs to government are known before making planning decisions
   • opportunities to collaborate with the energy sector to plan, access and/or generate renewable energy solutions are identified
   • opportunities to use integrated water cycle planning approaches at a community level are adopted to match demand with the most appropriate source of water that is available. 

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 48 (a,d) is fully supported; (b,c,e) is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.

49. Support the long-term sustainable use and management of the state’s strategic water resources by:

1. reviewing self-supply arrangements for strategic water resources (as identified in the proposed state water strategy) across the state, with the Gnangara groundwater system as a priority, to:
   • quantify the amount of water being used for self-supply purposes from each strategic water source, through monitoring and metering
   • understand the economic, environmental, cultural and social value of each strategic water resource to the region and the state
   • understand future use scenarios and any impacts on the timing and scale of major investment in future water supply infrastructure, such as desalination plants 
   • consider possible policy and regulatory approaches that could be implemented to ensure long-term sustainable outcomes 
   • outline mechanisms to achieve improved water-use efficiency (such as improved licensing, metering, pricing, trading and compliance measures)
2. based on the outcomes of the review in Recommendation 49a, implementing recommended reform measures 
3. finalising and implementing the Gnangara groundwater allocation plan. 

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 49 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.

50. Manage water demand by:

1. reviewing and implementing the Waterwise Perth: two year action plan to further improve urban water efficiency 
2. developing and implementing plans, similar to the Waterwise Perth: two year action plan, for regional areas where benefits can be demonstrated
3. implementing and, where necessary, introducing expanded water efficiency programs, such as the water government trading enterprises Waterwise programs, to offset the development of new water sources
4. reducing water consumption through education and improved consumer awareness, including by increased use of smart meters, and applying digital technologies to optimise asset performance. 

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 50 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.

51. Ensure long-term water security through the timely planning and delivery of climate-independent infrastructure that provides fit for purpose and sustainable water services, including:

1. continuing detailed planning and business case development for an additional desalination plant to increase the volume of desalinated water supply to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme and meet medium-term demand projections. Planning and business cases should demonstrate how the use of renewable energy and the application of energy-efficient design, technologies and practices are being used to achieve a target of net zero emissions by 2050 
2. further investigating wastewater recycling opportunities and groundwater replenishment schemes 
3. based on needs identified in the proposed state water strategy and regional water plans (see Recommendations 48b and 48c) and subject to business cases, implementing climate-independent water supply solutions in regional communities as required. 

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 51 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.

Guide investment in water infrastructure projects that enable climate resilient and self-sustainable agriculture and food industries in peri-urban and regional areas by developing a prioritisation framework. The framework should:

• be consistent with regional water planning (see Recommendation 48c) 
• prioritise investment in locations that are strategically aligned with agriculture and food industry opportunities (see the Regional development chapter)
• consider social, economic, environmental and cultural impacts and opportunities. 

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 52 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.

Determine whether current policy settings remain appropriate by undertaking an integrated strategic review of water and land-use values in the Jandakot and Gnangara groundwater protection areas. The review should consider:

• balancing costs, benefits and risks across all economic, social and environmental factors
• a strong up-to-date expert evidence base 
• contemporary building and development options to adequately mitigate any risks to groundwater quality 
• climate change factors
• the future role of the groundwater systems as part of the Integrated Water Supply Scheme’s broader water supply over the medium to long term, including potential alternative water supply options. 

WA Government response

The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 53 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.