Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

More than $87,000 in grant funding from the Community Water Supplies Partnership (CWSP) program will be provided to two Warren-Blackwood shires in the South West of #WesternAustralia to help them adapt to changing rainfall. The CWSP program is jointly funded by the Cook Government of Western Australia and the Australian GovernmentNational Water Grid Connections Funding Program. It provides financial support to allow rural communities to adapt to changing rainfall patterns by establishing infrastructure that maximises the efficient use of all available water resources. Read more: https://ow.ly/szJG50T6bKI Shire of Plantagenet #ClimateResilience #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #water #sustainability

As we head towards our next stage of single-use plastics bans, to be implemented on 1 September in #WesternAustralia, a reminder that a pre-packed container is a good option. You can go one better with a compostable container too. But the best option is to take a moment to dine in and help avoid plastic usage completely. More: https://ow.ly/Inls50T6gg7 #SingleUsePlastics #PlasticsBan #plastics #takeaway

$1.25 million in State Government funding is being made available to help #reducewaste in #WesternAustralia. The WasteSorted Organics Infrastructure Grants 2024–25 are open for applications from #wasteprocessors to improve food and garden organics waste recovery and processing in Western Australia. More: https://ow.ly/JzOR50T6alF #sustainability #recycling #circulareconomy #organics #FOGO

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has released the report of a short-term air monitoring campaign to assess dust levels in Pinjarra. The department commissioned the program in response to community concerns about potential dust emissions from nearby refinery operations. Read more here: https://ow.ly/llHo50T3HZ0 For more information, please follow our Facebook page: https://ow.ly/3KH650T1M6H #PinjarraAirQuality #EnvironmentalRegulation

Thanks for being part of positive change in WA! From September 1, more bans on problematic plastic items are being rolled out, as we move to more sustainable packaging. Support for Western Australian businesses and community groups is available at plasticsbanwa.com.au. #PlanForPlastics #SingleUsePlastics

Our Environmental Response Teams have recently been honing their Emergency Management skills. The teams were challenged with real world scenarios involving the use of Breathing Apparatus equipment in confined spaces, and toxic HAZMAT environments. For more information, please follow our Facebook page: https://ow.ly/3KH650T1M6H #EnvironmentalResponse

As we head towards the weekend, a reminder to pack your reusables wherever you're planning on going – or even better, dine in. An estimated 1.1 billion single-use #plastics are saved from landfill through the nation-leading Plan for Plastics each year, and we're gearing up for the next phase of bans which will see produce bags and lidded containers taken out of circulation. With more than 98 per cent of Western Australians surveyed backing the bans, we know we have the community support to reduce our single-item use even further. #PlanForPlastics #SingleUsePlastics #environment #sustainability

The independent Environmental Protection Authority (#EPA) has officially launched its Scientific Advisory Council. Officers from the department joined EPA deputy chair Lee McIntosh at an event to reinforce the value of #science in environmental impact assessment. Council members will support the EPA’s decision making processes and share their expertise in the EPA’s key environmental themes: Sea, Land, Water, Air, and People, as well as environmental impacts and contemporary science. Featured: Lee McIntosh, Peter Klinken, Darren Walsh, Luke Twomey, Stephen van Leeuwen, Matt Hipsey, Bruce Hegge, Dr Kellie Pendoley, Kathryn McMahon, Owen Nevin, Bamford Consulting Ecologists, Jo McDonald, Alistair Jones, WAMSI #WABSI, #DWER.

Our Waste Crime Team have recently been in the Wellard area installing our new signage to deter illegal dumping. If you have any information relating to illegal dumping, please submit a report to: https://ow.ly/Wmzr50SYYP0 or call our hotline on 1300 784 782. If you would prefer to report anonymously, you can do so via Crime Stoppers WA: https://ow.ly/ul3P50SYYPG To assist our investigations, we need as many details as possible to help identify offenders.

The dedicated work of our department’s highly respected former Director of Water and Ecosystem Planning, Susan Worley was recently honoured at the inaugural WA Legends of Water breakfast. Hosted by the Australian Water Association (AWA) WA, the event celebrated the knowledge, collaboration and dedication of water professionals that has led to positive change for the state’s water sector. Susan joined Peter Moore (Chief Operating Office at Water Corporation until 2017) and Josh Byrne (Dean of Sustainable Futures at Curtin University and ABC presenter) as the association’s first water legends. Their combined efforts have not only advanced sustainable water management practices but have also laid the foundations for future leaders in the sector. Susan retired in 2021 after an impressive 26-year career with our department and its predecessor agencies, shaping our state’s precious water resources. The event also featured an interactive panel session that explored the changes the award recipients had seen to Western Australia’s water resources and supplies during their careers. And how lessons from the past can be applied to address Western Australia’s future water challenges. As we all navigate the complexities of climate change and population growth, lessons learned from these “legends” will be invaluable. Their legacy is testament to the power of collective action and the impact of dedicated professionals committed to safeguarding our environment for generations to come. Photo Credit: Debbie Collins Photography #WaterManagement #AWA #WAwaterlegends