Goldfields water pipeline upgrade begins as government weighs up desalination plant plans

A major upgrade to the historic Goldfields water pipeline has begun, with the Western Australian government also considering plans for a new desalination plant on the south coast. The $543 million project aims to 'futureproof' the Goldfields and Wheatbelt regions for generations.

U-turn on desalination plant

Premier Roger Cook announced the upgrades at Kalgoorlie's Mt Charlotte Reservoir, where water from the Golden Pipeline first flowed in 1903. He said the government had weighed up plans for a desalination plant at Esperance, 700km south-east of Perth.

"We looked very closely at the idea of a desal plant at Esperance and then piping it up to Kalgoorlie," Mr Cook said.

"It was decided, through engineering design, that we were better off increasing the capacity of the Goldfields pipeline rather than building a whole new pipeline up from Esperance."

Mr Cook conceded that a desalination plant at Esperance could form part of plans to secure the water supply for WA's inland communities. He said the government expected to need desalination plants across the state.

"I think we will need a desalination plant at Esperance. We will need desalination plants the length and breadth of this state, both as part of a growing economy and drying planet, so that's going to be an important piece of work."

"Whether you ultimately see a desalination plant in Esperance feeding the Goldfields region more generally or simply meeting the needs of the growing Esperance community, I think you will need desal there."

Pipeline upgrades

Water Minister Daniel Pastorelli confirmed that work on the pipeline upgrades is underway, with about 44.5km of pipeline to be replaced through the Wheatbelt shires of Merredin, Westonia and Yilgarn. The upgrades are expected to increase the pipeline's daily capacity by 7.2 million litres, or about 10 per cent, by the end of 2027.

Mr Pastorelli said demand for water in the Goldfields had increased by 16 per cent since 2021, driven by the booming resources sector.

"This infrastructure will last … the pipes are being manufactured locally and will last for up to 150 years," he said.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor Glenn Wilson welcomed the investment in the pipeline, saying water was a precious commodity in the region.

"Water is a precious commodity here … none of us would be in Kalgoorlie without it [the pipeline]," he said. "After many years where there wasn't much maintenance or love for the pipeline, it's great to see that investment … it will help grow our economy."