Perth Hills Water Crisis
MEDIA RELEASE
22 May 2025
CHIDLOW COMMUNITY SECURES CRITICAL WIN ON WATER CRISIS
After years of battling unreliable water access, residents in Chidlow have secured a breakthrough, with the State Government finally acknowledging service failures and committing to action.
In a significant admission in Parliament, Water Minister the Hon Don Punch MLA confirmed that Chidlow residents are "clearly receiving a service that is not in accordance with the water services licence." He also confirmed that Water Corporation will cover the full cost of providing tanks and pressure pumps for affected households.
Local Member for Kalamunda Adam Hort MLA, who raised the matter in Parliament on behalf of residents, said this was a major win for the community.
"This is a powerful moment for families who have been fighting to be heard," Mr Hort said. "For too long, hardworking people have paid their rates and taxes while enduring an unreliable and substandard water supply."
Chidlow residents, who rely on the fragile Goldfields trunkline, have reported frequent outages, particularly between 4pm and 10pm, leaving homes without basic necessities like bathing, toilet use, or even a glass of water.
"This is not just about pressure fluctuations. This is about dignity and health," Mr Hort said. "The Minister's admission confirms what residents have known all along. This failure is not just unacceptable, it isn’t up to standards."
The Minister's commitment to fund tanks and pumps is a step forward, but Mr Hort says more must be done to restore faith in the system.
"Chidlow has led the charge, but this is an issue affecting families in neighbouring suburbs, particularly in Wooroloo," he said.
The community is now calling for:
· A reliable and future-proof supply model that does not depend on vulnerable trunklines;
· Consistent water pressure restored in Wooroloo and nearby areas;
· Replacement instead of patching of degraded infrastructure;
· A return to standard water agreements for all affected households; and
· Comprehensive data logging to fully understand and resolve the issue.
"This is a win, but it is not the finish line," Mr Hort said. "We have proven that when communities speak up and persist, they can hold government to account. Now we need lasting and fair water security for every family."
ENDS
Media Contact: Hayden Tognela – 0467 044 028
