The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s (DWER) uPtake program has been recognised for its contribution to Research and Development Excellence at the Australian Water Association Awards held recently. uPtake was acknowledged for its innovative science to improve water quality in South West WA waterways and estuaries. The program is a partnership between DWER, the...Continue Reading
The complexities of managing water quality and ecology in the Vasse Estuary over summer were shared with the community last week at a science update hosted by GeoCatch. Scientists from the Departments of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and Edith Cowan University presented to 48 members of the community on...Continue Reading
Farmers attended an uPtake Trials Field Day in September to see firsthand two fertiliser trials underway in the Geographe Bay Catchment. As the sun was shining, the project partners shone a light on some of the outcomes of the trials so far. Local farmer Brett Sue said that he is interested in how this research...Continue Reading
There was a full bus for the Flood protection in Busselton bus tour held recently, as 57 community members witnessed firsthand the complexity of the local drainage network. The tour was organised in response to community concerns over flood risk during winter, visiting the Sabina River detention basin, Vasse Diversion Drain culverts, Vasse surge barrier...Continue Reading
$900,000 across four projects to fast-track water quality improvements in Geographe waterways Four new projects funded through Healthy Estuaries WA program Water Minister Dave Kelly today announced the McGowan Government would be providing $900,000 in funding for four new projects that will fast track water quality improvements in key waterways across the Geographe catchment. The...Continue Reading
Two new fish studies by Murdoch University are providing insight into fish species living in the Vasse and Wonnerup estuaries near Busselton. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the Department), on behalf of the Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands Partnership, commissioned Murdoch University to undertake the two research projects. The first study focused on Black Bream...Continue Reading
Wednesday, 11 August 2021 Healthy Estuaries WA program partners with local dairy farmers to help protect Geographe Catchment Upgrades to dairy farm effluent systems to reduce nutrients entering Geographe waterways Dairy industry releases new Code of Practice for on-farm effluent management New code provides technical advice to help farmers improve effluent management Recent fit-for-purpose upgrades...Continue Reading
It’s often said that there are no simple solutions to improving water quality in Geographe waterways, however results from research being carried out on farms in Yoongarillup (near Busselton) and Keysbrook (Peel) are showing impressive results on reducing phosphorus loss off farms. The research is trialling applications of soil amendment products which bind phosphorus, keeping...Continue Reading
Geographe Bay seagrass meadows are in overall healthy condition according to a report released this week by GeoCatch. The report summarises 10 years of data collected by scientists as part of the ‘Keep Watch’ seagrass monitoring program. Each summer, scientists from Edith Cowan University join divers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to...Continue Reading
A new group-learning program for beef and sheep farmers has been well received in the south west, with seven Geographe farming businesses signing up to improve their grazing management and business performance as part of the Grazer Matcher program. Farmers that completed the 12-month program have been reporting great progress and currently there are four...Continue Reading
