The Western Australian Government has committed $543 million in its 2025–26 Budget to support the first stage of critical long-term upgrades to the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme (GAWSS).
Stretching from Mundaring Weir to Kalgoorlie, the GAWSS, which includes the heritage-listed Goldfields Pipeline, is Western Australia’s longest water scheme, supplying more than 100,000 homes, farms, mines and businesses in the region.
Since its commissioning in 1903, the 566km pipeline has played a vital role in sustaining residential, agricultural, and industrial activities across the region. However, sustained economic growth means the scheme is now operating close to capacity during the peak summer months.
Water Corporation commenced planning to increase the scheme’s capacity in 2021, with staged upgrades identified as the most efficient and cost-effective approach to meet initial and longer-term demand.
This was supported by a $15 million investment under the 2024–25 State Budget to progress design and engineering work.
The project’s first stage will increase scheme capacity by up to 7.2ML daily from 2027 to meet growth and industrial expansion, as well as enhancing the reliability of the scheme. Works will include:
- Replacement of 44.5km of ageing pipeline, mostly the original locking bar pipe, in the Shires of Merredin, Westonia and Yilgarn, with new sections to be installed primarily below ground alongside the existing route
- Valve upgrades to improve network reliability
- Upgrades to the Binduli Reservoir in Kalgoorlie, which will double the water storage capacity
Pending state and federal environmental and heritage approvals, works are expected to commence in early-2026.
To preserve the heritage value of the 122-year-old Goldfields Pipeline, the project will be delivered in line with a heritage interpretation strategy and management plan, informed by a 2023 community research project.
The State Government said that these essential upgrades form part of its broader strategy to secure drinking water supplies in the face of a changing climate and support economic growth across regional Western Australia.
Western Australian Water Minister, Don Punch, said that a secure and reliable water supply is essential to the future of the Goldfields, a region that plays a pivotal role in the state’s continued economic success.
“The Western Australian Government’s $543 million commitment for stage one upgrades will improve supply reliability for the community while supporting immediate growth in mining, industry and the community more broadly,” Mr Punch said.
“With well over a century of service, the Goldfields Pipeline remains a key piece of infrastructure. These works will ensure it continues to meet modern demands.”
Member for Kalgoorlie, Ali Kent, said, “For more than 120 years, the historic Goldfields Water Pipeline has been a lifeline for our region – supporting our communities and powering industry.
“This incredibly significant investment from the Western Australian Government is something I’ve been advocating strongly for over the last four years.
“The increased supply of water for the Goldfields will deliver essential upgrades to ensure the pipeline keeps pace with what our community needs now, while work continues on planning for our future.”
