WA State Budget 2010-11

A summary of the WA Liberal-National Government budget can be found at http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/ .

Key announcements for water include:

· $3.4billion in 2010-11 and over the forward estimates period on essential projects across the State recognising the ongoing need for major water and wastewater infrastructure developments. This includes the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant, Stage 1 of the new Alkimos Wastewater Treatment Plant and funding for continuation of the infill sewerage program. For more information, click here.

· The Department of Environment and Conservation's $345million Budget which included $25million for capital works to deliver on environment priorities including $1.53million for the Government's environmental community grants program and $300,000 for the community-based Kimberley Toad Busters to continue their work. For more information, click here.

· $4.9million to help local communities protect and improve their renewable natural resources. The funding, from the State Natural Resource Management (NRM) program, will support 51 projects across Western Australia. Projects vary from conserving the endangered freshwater sawfish in the Fitzroy River, to protecting priority areas of the Walpole wilderness from dieback, to fox control programs in the Wheatbelt. For more information, click here.

"Source: the NewWAter Ways Newsletter"