Water Corporation Chair Andrea Sutton, City of Mandurah Senior Water Resources Officer Dale Robinson, Department of Water and Environmental Regulations Director General Alistair Jones and City of Mandurah CEO Casey Mihovilovich. Image courtesy of Water Corporation.
The City of Mandurah was named the 2024 Platinum Waterwise Council of the Year at the Water Corporation’s Waterwise Recognition Event on Wednesday, 8 May.
The Platinum award recognises the City’s leadership and efforts in efficient, sustainable water use which can been seen throughout a number of the City’s facilities, projects and community spaces.
The City has been a Gold Waterwise Council for eight years, and previously won the Platinum Waterwise Council award in 2017.
One such project demonstrating sustainable water use has been Greenfields’ Kangaroo Paw Park redevelopment, where tree retention and new plantings have enhanced the park’s natural environment.
The installation of shelter, improved access, a drink fountain and nature-based play equipment has allowed for stronger connections with nature and a more user-friendly experience. The park's construction included hydro-zoning, which includes the garden beds and native bushland surrounds not being reliant on irrigation, with only the active turf area being irrigated by the newly constructed production bore, which takes water from the City’s Managed Aquifer Recharge Superficial Aquifer.
The City has also hosted a series of Love Our Lakes workshops aimed at educating the community to help improve water quality for the city’s 20 urban lakes, which filter stormwater and provide habitat and freshwater for wildlife. As part of these workshops, residents planted 400 rushes at two local lakes.
Furthermore, the City has recently installed over 40 groundwater meter data loggers to monitor ongoing groundwater consumption for active sporting ovals and public open space. The groundwater meter data logger program aims to identify system leaks and overall water efficiencies for these important community spaces.
Following extensive community consultation, the City has implemented the 2023-2033 Environment Strategy which looks to restore and protect the local environment for generations to come, with a clear direction and priorities for the future.
