The minister plans to review Coca-Cola’s unrestricted use of Perth Hills groundwater for bottling purposes.

Western Australia’s Water Minister, Simone McGurk, has called for a reevaluation of long-standing agreements permitting the extraction of millions of liters of groundwater for bottling purposes without charge, particularly pertinent as the state grapples with a progressively arid climate.

McGurk’s statements were prompted by concerns voiced by Perth Hills residents regarding the unregulated extraction of water from a local bore situated on private property, reportedly conducted by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP).

In response, the City of Armadale clarified that initial authorization for the transportation of spring water from the private property in Karragullen was granted in 1992. Initially, the council sanctioned two to three truckloads per week. However, in 1996, despite council objections, the volume was augmented to 10-15 loads weekly, following an intervention by the then-Minister for Lands, Graham Kierath, who overruled the council’s dissent and granted the company permission to proceed.