South Perth achieves Waterwise status

Installing waterwise appliances and more effective irrigation are some of the key steps the City of South Perth has taken in order to achieve its Waterwise Council status, Water Minister Bill Marmion announced today.

  • City of South Perth becomes WA's 18th Waterwise Council

  • Reduction in water use and nutrients going into waterways

Installing waterwise appliances and more effective irrigation are some of the key steps the City of South Perth has taken in order to achieve its Waterwise Council status, Water Minister Bill Marmion announced today.

Acknowledging the city's achievement, Mr Marmion said the city was now Western Australia's 18th Waterwise Council - through a program run in collaboration between the Department of Water, Water Corporation and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives - Local Governments for Sustainability.

In order to achieve Waterwise Council status, councils must demonstrate improved water management at corporate and community levels by setting and achieving goals to reduce their water consumption.

"The City of South Perth has numerous public open spaces in Perth that are often used for recreation events and are a tourist attraction for the State as well as the local community," the Minister said.

"They certainly have a challenge in terms of limiting their water use while maintaining the beautiful parks and reserves it is known for, particularly those access areas around the Swan River."

Mr Marmion said the city's improved water practices were also limiting the amount of nutrients and contaminants entering the Swan River and included restoration of the Swan and Canning rivers' foreshore areas, lakes, wetlands and other passive open space reserves with local, native plant species.

The city had also delivered waterwise education messages to its residents and ratepayers through the provision of information on waterwise gardening practices, home composting and the Schools Nurturing Nature program.

      Fact File

  • Installation of Gross Pollutant Traps to reduce pollution and nutrient load in waterways

  • Implementation of Erosion and Sediment Control practices that restore degraded environments and reduce level of nutrients entering waterways

  • Installation of water-efficient bathroom appliances in admin buildings of the city and some public amenities

  • Promotion of Water Sensitive Urban Design practices in planning controls for residential developments

  • Installation of irrigation system which allows areas to be irrigated based on actual requirements of the turf

Minister's office - 6552 6800