Joint media statement - $11.7 million investment to bolster Halls Creek water security

Water Corporation’s contractor laying pipework for a new groundwater production bore

Construction has commenced on a major project to strengthen the reliability and sustainability of Halls Creek's drinking water supply.

The $11.7 million initiative, jointly funded by the Albanese and Cook Governments, will expand the town's borefield by equipping four new production bores and connecting them via approximately three kilometres of pipeline.

Delivered by Water Corporation, the project, on Ngarrawanji Country in the east Kimberley region, will provide a more reliable and climate‑resilient groundwater source to meet peak demand, while supporting improved environmental outcomes through the sustainable management of the borefield.

Halls Creek's drinking water is drawn from groundwater aquifers that depend on rainfall recharge. However, long-term climate change has led to declining and more variable rainfall, reducing groundwater availability and the sustainable yield of several existing bores.

This project will boost water supply by hundreds of kilolitres per day, improving water security, liveability, and essential services for this remote community and its local First Nations residents.

Construction is expected to be completed within 12 months.

Quotes attributable to the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:

"The Albanese Government is proud to partner with the Cook Government to deliver enhanced water security for Halls Creek.

"Groundwater sources are increasingly vulnerable to variable rainfall, which means less water for communities. Expanding Halls Creek's borefield not only improves the supply scheme's reliability but also, importantly, its sustainability too.

"This key investment is another example of how the National Water Grid is supporting regional towns and First Nations communities with reliable essential services needed to grow and thrive."

Quotes attributable to the Western Australian Minister for Water and Aboriginal Affairs, Don Punch:

"This $11.7 million project, delivered by Water Corporation, will strengthen Halls Creek's drinking water supply, ensuring it can meet peak demand while supporting the health, liveability and economic wellbeing of the community.

"The Cook Labor Government is committed to investing in resilient water infrastructure across Western Australia, and this partnership with the Albanese Government is helping deliver reliable, high‑quality and sustainable services for regional communities like Halls Creek.

"By expanding the borefield and improving supply reliability, this investment is helping to future‑proof water services in Halls Creek, ensuring the community has access to safe and secure drinking water for years to come."