Future water source planning in Great Southern Region

23 January 2025

Following recent announcements, we are no longer progressing investigations into a potential desalination plant at King George Sound in Albany. 

We are still in the planning phase of the project will continue investigating seawater desalination and groundwater options. We will provide further updates in coming weeks.

27 April 2024

The project team attended the Albany Port Open Day on the 27th of April 2024 to share the latest on our new water source investigations with the local community.

It was great to take part in such a well-run event. Seeing the scale of the operations and learning about the inner workings of the port was fascinating! 

We spoke to over 100 local community members on the day and had really valuable conversations, not only about our investigations, but also about our existing water source and the challenges we're facing with the effects of climate change and forecast increases in demand.

Thanks to everyone who came down and we look forward to seeing you again when we are next in Albany. 

15 February 2024

In mid-February 2024, the project team took six members of the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation Cultural Advisory Committee on a half-day tour of the proposed desalination sites.

The purpose of the tour was for the project team to understand the cultural values of the proposed desalination sites and incorporate any feedback from Wagyl Kaip SNAC CAC into our decision making.

We will now progress with further surveys to support our ongoing investigations. 

28 June 2023

Water Corporation’s authorised consultants, Advisian, and a commercial boat operator will begin investigations in Frenchman Bay, Princess Royal Harbour and off the South Coast in late June 2023. 

The work will take three days. Exact work dates will depend on weather conditions and availability of contractors and their vessels. Further sampling and data collection will take place on a quarterly basis for up to 24 months. 

27 May 2023

The project team hosted two drop-in sessions in Albany on Friday, 26 May and Saturday, 27 May 2023. 

We had many interesting conversations and received useful feedback that will help inform our investigation pathway. Thank you to those who joined us to learn more about our new water source investigations.

We are now progressing with further planning for the investigations, and will keep the community updated as we progress. Sign up for updates via the link on the webpage to hear the latest project news.

29 July 2022

We’re pleased to advise fieldwork for our Aboriginal Heritage survey in the Manypeaks, Two Peoples Bay, Big Grove, Little Grove and Goode Beach areas has now been completed. This work is part of an investigation into groundwater and seawater desalination as future water source options in the areas.

Thank you to those landowners for facilitating access to private properties.

16 December 2021

We’re pleased to advise fieldwork for our environmental survey in the Manypeaks, Two Peoples Bay, Torndirrup, Big Grove, Little Grove and Goode Beach areas has now been completed. This work is part of an investigation into groundwater and seawater desalination as future water source options in the areas.

Thank you to those landowners for facilitating access to private properties. The survey area was large – extending much further than the actual area required for any infrastructure – to ensure we could capture accurate environmental data and to put any results into context. The consultants will now take the next few months to sort and analyse all the data collected, and prepare findings.

Next, we are preparing to undertake Aboriginal heritage surveys in the same areas with Traditional Owners, in the new year. We will write to affected landowners regarding this.

Happy holidays!

We continue to respond proactively to the ongoing challenges of climate change by investigating potential new water sources for the LGSTWSS.

These include:

• new groundwater sources;
• local seawater desalination.

Before we determine the location of a preferred water source, we consider the following factors at a minimum: 
water quality

• drying climate patterns and rainfall / streamflow data
• environmental considerations, including impact of drawing water on local ecosystems and construction impacts on existing flora and fauna habitats
• heritage and Native Title rights
• community feedback
• impact on private landowners
• water treatment requirements
• amount of water we expect to draw from the source and;
• cost of supplying water to our customers including building the required infrastructure.

We are still in the early stages with a decision on preferred option/s expected in 2025, following a detailed review of data and results.

We will engage with DWER, other government agencies, stakeholders and the community before making decisions on future sources for the region. 

Water Corporation is working with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) as we investigate long-term supply options. DWER is developing the Albany and hinterlands water allocation plan for public comment. It covers how groundwater and surface water will be managed and regulated in this area. The plan sets limits about how much water can be used and how much is left in the aquifer for the environment.

Water Corporation also continues to liaise with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) about a potential seawater desalination plant.  DPIRD is working with the Minister for Fisheries to confirm the Albany Aquaculture Development Zone.