REI Coordinator, Jennifer Stritzke presenting at the WALGA Forum, hosted by the Shire of Collie on 3 November 2017.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation was recently invited to present at a Western Australian Local Government Association Natural Area Management Network Forum (NAMN), hosted by the Shire of Collie, to discuss improving water quality of waterways and wetlands.
As the steward for the state’s water and environmental resources, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) recognises the important role that local government has in restoring and improving the health of our estuaries.
The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) Forum was a great opportunity to share information on initiatives that aim to improve the water quality of rivers, estuary and wetland environments at the catchment and local scale.
DWER’s Regional Estuaries Initiative (REI) Coordinator, Jennifer Stritzke said the REI is a project of partnerships – we’re working with catchment groups, local government and industry groups to co-deliver projects.
Jennifer updated the predominantly local government environment officers and other natural area management agencies attending on the work being carried out across the South West and in particular projects being co-delivered with local government.
“There are some really exciting projects in the pipe works and I’m happy to say that agreements to undertake projects with the City of Albany and the South Coast NRM have recently been signed. More on those projects can be found here.
“The REI has also been working with local government to trial new technologies like soil amendment and phosphorus binding clay to reduce nutrients entering waterways.
“These trials are being conducted in the Peel-Harvey and Vasse-Wonnerup catchments,” Jennifer said.
WALGA runs approximately six NAMN forums a year. Please refer to their website for topics and presentations from the most recent forums.