Announcing Healthy Estuaries WA

On Thursday 4 June 2020, Minister Kelly announced the State Government’s $25 million Healthy Estuaries WA program. The Healthy Estuaries WA program builds on the work of the Regional Estuaries Initiative and will drive action in catchments to improve water quality and restore the environmental balance of estuaries. Healthy Estuaries … Read More

The latest in our estuaries

Estuary forums were held across four of the Regional Estuaries Initiative catchments in October with over 205 people attending events in Albany, Denmark, Augusta and Bunbury. Hosted by local catchment groups in partnership with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s (DWER) Regional Estuaries Initiative, the forums included updates on … Read More

System design solutions showcased in the South West

Western Australia’s South West dairy farms took centre stage at a recent agricultural training course, with livestock effluent system designers from across the nation in attendance to view different technologies in action. Seven participants travelled from Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania to attend the four-day accredited training course delivered … Read More

Upcoming Estuary Forums

You can discover what is happening in local waterways at our annual estuary forums, held across the South West and South Coast in mid-October. Hosted by local catchment groups in partnership with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s (DWER) Regional Estuaries Initiative, the forums include updates on the science … Read More

New approach to seagrass resilience

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s resident seagrass expert Dr Kieryn Kilminster, is building worldwide understanding of what it means for seagrass to be resilient. Seagrass meadows are an important part of estuarine ecosystems, providing habitat and food for birds and marine life, and contributing to good water and … Read More

Farmers turn to science for fertiliser advice

A large number of farms in the South West and South Coast are expected to save money on fertiliser after testing has revealed a bank of excess phosphorus in soils. Now in its ninth year, the soil testing program – currently supported by the $20 million Regional Estuaries Initiative – … Read More

River bank workshops

Landowners were invited to attend field-based workshops to learn how to manage local waterways on farm, including weed and pest management, fire hazard mitigation and the benefits of establishing native vegetation for biodiversity and water quality. Hosted by local landowners and catchment groups as part of the Regional Estuaries Initiative … Read More

Time to make better fertiliser choices

Over 150 grazing farmers got together across the south west and south coast during February to receive expert advice on improving their productivity, and bottom line, by keeping nutrients on the farm and out of waterways. Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s (DWER) Fertiliser Management Program Coordinator, Kelly Lavell said … Read More

Changing how we think about suburban gardens

Celebrity gardener John Colwill from Beyond Gardens, joined the Leschenault Catchment Council to share tips with the public on how to create a waterwise garden using minimal fertiliser and resilient local native plants, without compromising on style.

Seagrass – an important indicator of estuarine health

Seagrass surveys in the Leschenault Estuary have been conducted by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation since 2009. That year showed an abundance of healthy seagrass meadows covering about 70 per cent of the estuary. Seagrass monitored again in the summer of 2015, told a different story.