A new project is beginning for South Coast Natural Resource Management (South Coast NRM) as they continue their restoration efforts into the upper catchment area of Yakamia Creek in the City of Albany.
South Coast NRM will lead the four-year project in partnership with the Australian Government, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, and the City of Albany. This project seeks to repair not only the ecological health of Yakamia Creek, but the cultural, social, and recreational values it once provided.
Once thriving with freshwater turtles, black cockatoos, and Western ringtail possums, the waterway has become highly modified from decades of increased development, excavation, and weed invasion.
Bronte Van Helden, South Coast NRM’s Threatened Species Program Lead says: “Yakamia Creek flows right through the heart of Albany city. It winds past schools, sports grounds, farms and homes, so people in Albany see and experience it every day. This makes it an important place for the whole community. Restoring the creek will not only enhance biodiversity and waterway health but also offer a valuable opportunity to reconnect the community with nature.”
Since the turn of the century, various rehabilitation activities have been undertaken at a growing number of sites along the creek. Between 2021 and 2024, a South Coast NRM-led project added 0.32 hectares of native seedlings to the stream banks at ‘Yakanup reach’ and carried out 1.24 hectares of weed control at four sites as part of Healthy Estuaries WA.
Building on this previous work, the current project will include the design and installation of two living wetlands and one living stream in targeted areas of the creek upstream of North Road, resulting in the re-establishment of 1.2 hectares of native plants and creating additional food sources and habitat for local biodiversity.
The plants, pools, and other features of the wetland and stream designs aim to restore the natural filtration processes critical for improved water quality of the creek and estuary downstream in Oyster Harbour.
South Coast NRM’s Urban Rivers project coordinator Justin Benson says, “For years Yakamia has largely been viewed as a stormwater drainage line, but there is growing awareness that the creek has the potential to perform other important roles that benefit native animals, water quality, and the community.”
The site design process for Upper Yakamia Creek will incorporate expert review and community consultation, with on-ground works set to begin in early 2026 at Whidby Street living wetland and Barnesby Drive living stream.
There will be opportunities for local community members to get involved with fauna monitoring, planting days, and other activities. For more information contact JustinBenson@southcoastnrm.com.au.
This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, with support from the City of Albany. This project is also a part of Healthy Estuaries WA – a State Government program that aims to improve the health of our South West estuaries.
Check out a clip from December 2020 on previous works at Yakamia creek: