Three draft plans that will help determine how our local wetlands and waterways are managed into the future are now available for public comment. The three plans will guide future management actions to improve waterway health and water quality in the Lower Vasse River, Toby Inlet and the Vasse Wonnerup wetlands. The City of Busselton...Continue Reading
Local soil testing contractors will finish soil sampling across 21 farms in the Geographe catchment this week as part of a three year program that is hoped will be a win-win for both farmers and our waterways. The soil testing is part of a three year program that is helping farmers make evidence-based decisions on...Continue Reading
A research project is about to start on the Vasse Wonnerup wetlands looking at the relationship between seagrasses and black swan grazing. The project, being undertaken by Masters student Caitlyn O’Dea from Edith Cowan University, will be conducted across three estuaries; the Swan-Canning, Leschenault and Vasse-Wonnerup. “ This project aims to improve our understanding of...Continue Reading
Changes to the management of Vasse Estuary water levels to prevent algal blooms and fish kills have gained support from the local community. More than 40 community members attended a meeting in Busselton last week about the proposed changes to improve water quality – which include opening the Wonnerup Inlet sandbar and Vasse surge barrier...Continue Reading
36 fertiliser trials will be established across the South West WA over the next three years to test phosphorus requirements under local conditions and with new pasture species as part of a new Smart Farming Partnership project. The trials will explore innovative technology and practices to improve nutrient use efficiency on grazing farms in south...Continue Reading
The Revitalising Geographe Waterways program has been announced as finalists in the WA Program Innovation Award for the Australian Water Association (AWA) 2018 awards. The award recognises programs that are innovative with outstanding features that set them apart from common practice, are relevant to the Australian water industry and have strong water resource benefits and...Continue Reading
Busselton student Sebastian Taylor road tested a career in water quality monitoring and science during his work experience last week at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). Seb is a year 10 student at Georgiana Molloy Anglican School and is interested in doing a double degree in marine science and marine biology at...Continue Reading
The Vasse Wonnerup wetlands were well represented at the international ECSA 57 conference in Perth last week, Changing estuaries, coasts and shelf systems. A number of presentations from Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), Murdoch and Edith Cowan Universities highlighted the challenges and uniqueness of the wetlands. Ryan Kam, Eduardo da Silva and Alessandra...Continue Reading
Farmer and fertiliser industry meetings were held in Busselton this week to identify ways to optimise fertiliser use and reduce nutrient loss off farms. With over 70% of nutrients entering the Vasse Wonnerup wetlands from fertiliser use from beef and dairy grazing properties, farmers and the fertiliser industry are critical partners to improve water...Continue Reading
Have you noticed the large pile of boulders and rocks near the Vasse Diversion Drain on Bussell Highway? Keep a close eye on this site, because site preparation works are now underway for the Vasse Diversion Drain Enhancement. The project, led by GeoCatch in partnership with the Water Corporation and City of Busselton will be...Continue Reading
