The latest review of dairy effluent management on South West farms by Western Dairy has shown considerable improvement in the areas of storing and reusing effluent since the last review in 2016. The review provided the opportunity to revisit benchmarking of effluent management across Healthy Estuaries WA catchments following upgrade work completed under the Dairycare...Continue Reading
The Vasse Taskforce took an in-depth look at Geographe waterways and the local drainage network in Busselton recently on a bus tour hosted by local NRM group GeoCatch. The Vasse Taskforce was established in 2014 to provide leadership and support to improve water quality of Geographe waterways. Taskforce Chair Jackie Jarvis MLC said the bus...Continue Reading
Best practice guidelines to assist South-West grazing farmers with on-farm management of nutrients New guidelines will help farmers maximise stock productivity, while reducing nutrient runoff and environmental impacts on our local waterways Guidelines part of the McGowan Government’s $25 million Healthy Estuaries WA and Revitalising Geographe Waterways programs Water Minister Dave Kelly has today announced...Continue Reading
Two new trial sites on dairy farms in the Vasse and Scott River catchments have been launched to demonstrate how top-dressing applications of Iron Man Gypsum (IMG) can keep phosphorus on farms where it is needed, instead of being washed into our estuaries where it can cause algal blooms and water quality issues. IMG is made up...Continue Reading
Individuals and companies in the Australian fertiliser industry working to improve environmental outcomes were recognised at the recent 2022 Fertilizer Industry Environmental Awards, with two of the three national award recipients representing teams working to protect waterways in Western Australia. CSBP Fertilisers was awarded the Fertilizer Industry Platypus Environmental Award for its contribution to the uPtake project....Continue Reading
As part of Healthy Estuaries WA and Revitalising Geographe Waterways, farmers across the South West are improving the health of waterways and receiving estuaries by fencing to move stock out of streams and drains, and by revegetating riparian zones (the areas along the banks of a waterway). Their collective efforts through the program from 2020...Continue Reading
The City of Busselton has recently completed the first stage of sediment removal in the Lower Vasse River with the aim to improve water quality. Approximately 600 tonnes of sediment was removed over seven weeks. The area dredged spanned from the Causeway Road Bridge to upstream from the pedestrian bridge, on Peel Terrace. Sediment will...Continue Reading
Expressions of interest are now open for the latest round of the Geographe catchment soil testing program. With global fertiliser prices estimated to have increased by 180 per cent, the program is even more important this year for farmers hoping to make potential savings. GeoCatch Project Officer Jenelle Schult says the program provides farmers with...Continue Reading
Rain, hail or shine the DWER south west water quality monitoring team are out and about in boats, cars or kayaks monitoring water quality of south west estuaries and catchments. The small team, based in Busselton and Bunbury, monitor the Leschenault Estuary, Hardy Inlet and Vasse Wonnerup wetlands and their catchment’s monthly. Results from estuary...Continue Reading
McGowan Government contributes $350,000 towards sediment removal in the Lower Vasse River in Busselton Important work funded through the $25 million Healthy Estuaries WA program Sediment removal works are a high priority to improve water quality in the river and reduce algal blooms Sediment removal is a key management action under the Lower Vasse River...Continue Reading
