On Thursday, the Morrison-Joyce government has delivered a plan for the provision of a long-term, sustainable water supply to the residents of West Bullsbrook, north of Perth.
Residents of the area have previously had to buy bottled water due to the poor quality of groundwater, and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Andrew Gee said the scheme will address the problem of per- and poly-fleuroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminating the groundwater.
Minister Gee said the Australian Government had worked with the WA Government and the WA Water Corporation to deliver a water infrastructure solution for local residents.
“In consultation with the WA Government and the WA Water Corporation, Defence will progress works to connect West Bullsbrook properties to town water,” Minister Gee said.
“Since 2015, the Department of Defence has conducted a national program to understand the nature and extent of PFAS contamination on, and around, a number of Defence sites across the country.”
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said providing appropriate infrastructure to the communities in which Defence lives and operates was critical.
“As the new Federal Member for the residents of West Bullsbrook, my top priority has been to work with the local community and Defence to secure a solution on the need for a mains water connection,” said Price.
“Delivering this infrastructure solution will be of great benefit to the residents of West Bullsbrook, and I look forward to further discussions with the WA Government to progress these important works.”
Investigations at 26 out of 28 sites have concluded, and the team will be moving to the management and remediation phase to address the needs of the local community.
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