Regional capacity and project delivery
A coordinated effort is needed to improve water quality and protect the values that depend on healthy estuaries: thriving ecosystems, liveable communities, and economic development. The Regional Capacity and Project Delivery strategy will support regional groups and partnerships to implement on-ground actions for healthier estuaries. Local communities will be informed, engaged and equipped for long-term regional catchment management.
Capacity building
Restoring and protecting the health of our estuaries is only possible if people with the right skills, knowledge and experience work together. Healthy Estuaries WA is designed to support training and employment opportunities for regional communities, targeting local practices to improve estuary condition.
Catchment groups can be stretched thin, and projects and partnerships to improve agricultural or urban water quality take means and capability. Healthy Estuaries WA is providing resources for project officers and catchment coordinators to deliver on-ground actions.
Consistent effort is required to recruit landholders to try soil testing and fertiliser management or manage dairy effluent to reduce nutrients entering waterways. We’re partnering with regional landcare groups, catchment councils and peak agriculture industry bodies to promote best practice and improve water quality.
Examples of capacity building events and opportunities provided by the Regional Estuaries Initiative and Healthy Estuaries WA include:
- Funding catchment officer positions.
- Supporting catchment officers to attend training workshops in natural resource management, behaviour change and communications.
- Initiating collaboration between industry, government and farmers through project reference groups.
- Building community knowledge through annual estuary forums.
- Providing field days, demonstration days and workshops to local farmers.
- Providing access to scientific information on waterway health in a community friendly format.
Coordination
Strong project management and extensive partner engagement and support are critical to achieving the ambitious outcomes of this project. Healthy Estuaries WA has a dedicated coordinator who drives partnerships and ensure the project is delivered in a timely and effective manner. Healthy Estuaries WA will be delivered by collaboration across State, local and Commonwealth government agencies, regional natural resource management groups, catchment councils and the community for united planning and action.
Community engagement and communication
Estuaries are unique and vibrant places that support businesses, communities, tourism, recreational and commercial fishing and port activities. Together, we will build a better understanding of current estuary health, sharing this information with all estuary users to guide future management and planning.
This website has been developed as a key resource for the community, with complex scientific information presented in a community friendly format to support consultation and engagement, and help inform decisions on management actions. New and up-to-date science and information will be added regularly.
Subscribe to our news for updates and opportunities to get involved. We’ll issue regular community updates and hold events to allow people to learn more about their local waterways and contribute to estuary improvements.
