Tribune’s note

Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt announced on 13 May that construction has commenced on an $11.7 million joint project with the Cook Government to expand Halls Creek's borefield in the east Kimberley. The project will add four new production bores and approximately three kilometres of pipeline, delivered by Water Corporation on Ngarrawanji Country.

The stated objective is a more reliable, climate-resilient groundwater source capable of meeting peak demand and boosting supply by hundreds of kilolitres per day [TA-260513-climat-6dcd1326eb11]. Construction is expected to complete within 12 months, with the release framing the outcomes as improved water security, liveability, and essential services for the remote community and its local First Nations residents.

Watt positioned the investment within the government's broader National Water Grid strategy, which targets regional towns and First Nations communities — a framing that connects this discrete infrastructure project to a standing portfolio-level commitment rather than presenting it as a one-off announcement. No parliamentary activity accompanied this release on the day; this Note draws on the comms stream only.

Primary records (1)

The official records this note draws on — the raw primary documents themselves, as published.

MediaJoint media release: $11.7 million investment to bolster Halls Creek water securityMurray WattWednesday 13 May 2026