In 2015, WA Water Corporation invited the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities to help investigate integrated urban water management options in WA’s Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions. The aim was to identify options that could support the economic development, environmental sustainability and wellbeing of rural communities.

The CRCWSC investigated opportunities in two locations:

Kojonup (Great Southern Region), approximately 260 km south-east of Perth, is the administrative and commercial centre of the surrounding cropping and grazing district. In 2012, the population of Kojonup Shire was approximately 2,049, with around 900 people living in the town.

A workshop with local stakeholders identified three main water management challenges:

• The efficiency of the town’s (long-distance) potable water supply and treated wastewater (with a seasonal supply and demand mismatch) is low.
• Treated wastewater (when discharged to Kojonup Brook) and excess stormwater from urban areas (with associated sediment accumulation and litter) affect the local waterway and regional environment.
• The contribution of urban water systems to the liveability of Kojonup is low (limited ability to maintain a high quality public realm).

Beverley (Wheatbelt Region), 130 km east of Perth, is the administrative and commercial centre for the surrounding agricultural district. In 2012, the population of Beverley Shire was approximately 1,700 with around half residing in the town.

A workshop with local stakeholder identified three main water management challenges:

• The current use of potable water for non-potable demands (irrigation of ovals, parks, street trees, etc.) is expensive. This results in high costs and/or sub-optimal management of active recreation and amenity spaces.
• The current (centralised) water supply system is out-dated and does not meet current community needs and expectations. There is need for increased diversity and resilience of the towns urban water system.
• Stagnant water in the Avon River immediately upstream of the Vincent St Bridge, and the associated break down of organic matter under anoxic conditions, causes significant odour issues for the town.