Recycling project on track

With the help of Gnowangerup's Auspan group, Australia will soon have its very first full-scale groundwater replenishment scheme.

Construction of the $124.5 million Advanced Water Recycling Plant is halfway complete, and will inject 14 billion litres of recycled water per year into deep confined aquifers, providing an additional rainfall-independent water source for Perth.

Auspan has designed and manufactured the roof and steelwork for the project, and through a unique roof-lift installation method, used two cranes to efficiently lift sections of the 3500sqm roof into place.

Auspan said that being awarded this project had contributed to its ability to support local community and raise local employment.

It said it was rewarding being able to deliver such a vital facility for the future sustainability of the State.

With the contract valued at about $4 million, Member for Wagin Terry Waldron said he was pleased the Gnowangerup-based business had played an integral role in this important State Government project.

"I'm always pleased when local businesses are considered, rather than only relying on Perth-based companies," he said.

"Rural businesses are often just as competitive, if not more so than their city counterparts."

Auspan's past projects include supplying the complete structural steelwork for the 44,000sqm roof cover of Katanning's saleyards and they join 20 other WA-based suppliers for this project, to the value of up to $20 million.

Minister for Water Mia Davies said it was another great example of the Water Corporation's support of regional and local businesses.

"This project has the potential to supply up to 20 per cent of Perth's future drinking water needs by 2060," she said.