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A space for conversation, connection and collective action for water in Western Australia.

The WA Water Alliance is dedicated to telling the 'big-picture' story of water: looking at water as a whole, a process, as a living entity and its relationship to social, cultural, economic and environmental values as well as to the human heart and psyche.

We bring together diverse voices - scientists, practitioners, Traditional Custodians, landholders, community members, policy thinkers as well as voices of the more-than-human world - to deepen shared understanding of water’s role in our landscapes, climate and communities.

Through thoughtful dialogue and relationship-building, we cultivate the conditions from which meaningful, collaborative action can emerge.

The Vision

We envision a Western Australia where water is understood as the living foundation of ecological health, climate resilience and community wellbeing, and where this understanding leads to water being given its rightful place as a, if not the, primary organising principle.

Where the interconnected water cycles of land, groundwater, rivers and atmosphere are recognised as central to our future.

Where scientific insight, cultural knowledge and lived experience are brought into meaningful conversation.

And where shared understanding creates the conditions for collaborative, regenerative action.

Why Water, Why Now

Climate is not just about carbon and temperature. Water vapour is a potent greenhouse gas and more abundant than carbon. As temperatures rise, more water evaporates into the atmosphere, compounding the issue. Water is responsible for about 80% of the global heat dynamics.

As landscapes have been altered, degraded and dehydrated, the small water cycles are disrupted. We see more erratic rainfall patterns and less water going into the ground, resulting in more degradation of ecosystems and the propensity for drought, fire and flood.

Western Australia is no stranger to water issues. Declining rainfall in the southwest has been noted since the 60s. Recharge of Perth’s groundwater has declined by as much as 70% in the last half-century.

The southwest of WA recently experienced its longest driest spell on record, alongside severe heat. Soil moisture levels were at record lows by the end of summer. And perhaps most concerning, forest die-offs have been noted from the south coast all the way up to the Gascoyne region. At the same time, record flooding occurred in the Nullabor and earlier in the year in the Kimberley.

This issues go hand in hand with the removal and displacement of the traditional water and land managers, Aboriginal people, from Country.

The Time to Act is Now

2023 and 2024 broke climate records by a wide margin with a very noticeable uptick in the heating trend worldwide.

We are at a critical moment in relation to water in WA. Our ecosystems, food production systems and people depend on it.

‘Forest die-offs’ stretching from the south coast to Shark Bay. This is a water issue. Not just from lack of rain but also through breakdowns in small water cycles with depleting groundwater and decreasing soil moisture.

We Believe

Water is the source of life; life emerged from and continues to be totally dependent on water. Water should be our primary organising principle - water first and water as ultimate indicator of sustainability. “Can you drink the water?”

‘Slow Water’ is right relationship with water - restoring the slow stages of water e.g. wetlands, so that it can interact with the land again, but also slowing ourselves so that we can connect, respect, and ultimately partner with water as a living being.

First Nations’ cultures carry the law of the land, including that of water, carry forth the connection and stewardship of Country, and also contain the wisdom that could make a Slow Water paradigm possible again. Culture should be respected, upheld, spotlighted and looked to for guidance at all times. Aboriginal people should be supported to be leaders in this space.

Water, in particular healthy water cycles, is the ‘green infrastructure’ we need for climate change resilience, to cool our local landscapes and to protect from drought, fire, flood and other hydrological extremes.

Water gives hope - there’s tangible actions we can all do to work for water and climate through water.

Water teaches and can change our thinking at a fundamental level - from parts to wholes and systems.

Early Phase: Building Foundations

In this early phase, the WA Water Alliance is focused on listening, connecting and building shared understanding.

Our priorities include:

Listening and relationship-building

Engaging with diverse individuals and organisations to understand current efforts, challenges and emerging stories of water regeneration and stewardship across Western Australia.

Research and mapping

Clarifying the landscape of water issues, opportunities and initiatives to support a coherent, big-picture understanding.

Creating thoughtful conversation spaces

Convening discussions that explore the systemic role of water in ecological health and climate resilience and telling the integrated story of water in WA.

Demonstration through practice

Supporting the Sacha Boodja Water Project as an early example of place-based water regeneration.

Public storytelling and shared learning

Beginning education, story-sharing and dialogue through events, social platforms and the Partnering with Nature Podcast.

Growing a committed base of support

Expanding the Water Supporters community to help resource and sustain this work.

During this phase, the WA Water Alliance remains an informal and adaptive movement. In keeping with nature’s principles, we are allowing relationships, insights and early actions to shape the Alliance’s long-term form.

Our commitment is to stay in listening, aligning and relationship-building mode for as long as necessary, while steadily moving forward.

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How to get involved

There are several ways to support and contribute in this early phase.