Geographe dairy farmers are continuing to show their commitment to reducing nutrients leaving their farms, with five dairy effluent system upgrades being completed this autumn. Effluent from dairy sheds contribute 11% of phosphorus and 7% of nitrogen (on average) to the Vasse Wonnerup wetlands each year, so improving dairy effluent systems has been a priority...Continue Reading
The McGowan Government will invest $111.6 million in funding to continue critical State Government programs and projects across regional Western Australia. Funding for the next four years has been locked in ahead of this year’s Budget, recognising the importance of more than a dozen regional State Government programs. The funding package includes $25 million over...Continue Reading
Water managers of the Vasse Estuary have responded to community concern about offensive odours in the estuary near Estuary View Drive. Wonnerup residents who live adjacent to the estuary have been experiencing unpleasant smells caused by decomposing algae which has been getting worse over the summer months. Late last month the City of Busselton removed...Continue Reading
Twenty-eight local farmers have this week come one step closer to best practice fertiliser management at a workshop held near Busselton. The farmers have each participated in GeoCatch’s fertiliser management project, which undertakes paddock-scale soil testing and mapping in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). Farmers received their colour-coded maps...Continue Reading
Local farmers have made a great start to 2020 by soil testing every paddock to check nutrient levels and plan their fertiliser needs. Better management of soil helps to both save money on fertiliser and reduce nutrients entering rivers and Geographe Bay. Twenty one farmers have partnered with GeoCatch and Department of Primary Industries and...Continue Reading
After closely studying the weather patterns and tidal movements Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has chosen this week to reopen the sand bar which forms at the beach entrance to the Vasse Diversion Drain to help flush the maximum amount of sea water in to the drainage system. In...Continue Reading
A report into the first four years of Revitalising Geographe Waterways program was released today in Busselton, detailing the success of the program. Key achievements detailed in the report included improved water quality in the Toby Inlet and Vasse Estuary channel thanks to increased seawater flushing, and a reduction in nutrients entering waterways through effective...Continue Reading
GeoCatch hosted its first ever Bay OK garden party on the weekend, with gardening celebrity Chris Ferreira joining passionate home gardener and Bay OK Project Officer, Lisa Massey, to showcase her Bay OK garden in Busselton. The Forever Project’s Chris Ferreira took 80 visitors on two hour-long walks through the garden, sharing practical tips and...Continue Reading
Local farmers who have made major changes to their fertiliser practices were celebrated in September at the Beyond Soil Testing sundowner hosted by GeoCatch. The stories of these farmers are being shared through an online video, which was launched at the event and focuses on the benefits of being strategic with fertiliser so nutrients stay...Continue Reading
New booklet summarises extensive monitoring of Vasse-Wonnerup wetlands Further ecological monitoring to occur into 2020, with the McGowan Government committing $1.6 million for Revitalising Geographe Waterways program McGowan Government working with partners to improve waterway health The complex ecological make-up of Busselton’s Vasse-Wonnerup wetlands is the focus of a new booklet launched today that summaries...Continue Reading
