New bores drilled into the Sue Coals Measure are shaping up as the most feasible option to deliver a non-potable water scheme to Dunsborough.
But the plan does not involve servicing sites closer to the coastline like Dunsborough Primary School, which is currently forced to irrigate with drinking-quality water and has racked up an $84,000 water bill for the year so far.
It is also unlikely to be implemented until the mid 2020s, and will probably have the City of Busselton — and, in turn, ratepayers — as its sole customer, at least initially.
City of Busselton planning and development services director Paul Needham has been charged with investigating a range of options, including new bores, the use of treated wastewater, and taking over Water Corporation bores.
However, after the developer of Dunsborough Lakes Urban Quarter transferred a “substantial allocation” of water to the club, also allowing the City access, Mr Needham said the sense of urgency had “fallen away”.
While acknowledging the plight of places like the Dunsborough Country Club, Mr Needham said the scheme’s benefits had to stack up against the cost, and stressed discussions were under way on how sites closer to the coast could be supported.
“It doesn’t make sense to get water up the hill to the country club or Dunsborough Primary School,” he said.
“There are potentially some other options for water at the country club and the City has been having discussions on that.” Vasse MLA Libby Mettam recently presented a grievance motion to Water Minister Dave Kelly.
She took aim at the Government’s rejection of a proposal that involved Busselton Water supplying a non-potable scheme, but Mr Kelly said the plan would have cost taxpayers too much.
“This is a short-term solution and does not address the longer term issue of a non-potable water supply to the country club or the existing primary schools.” One of the other preferred options was the use of treated wastewater currently being discharged to Station Gully over winter.