Busselton residents are being encouraged to experience a newly developed recreation area and carpark alongside the Vasse Diversion Drain following the completion of the Vasse Diversion Drain Enhancement project this week.
The finishing touches included installation of a Bay OK garden which is hoped will be embraced by the community. GeoCatch Project Officer Lisa Massey says the new facility boasts a walk path, bench seats and picnic table, all surrounded by a landscaped native garden.
“The Bay OK garden showcases how low nutrient and water efficient gardens can be beautiful and low maintenance at the same time” said Lisa.
The garden features native plants that are suited to sandy soils and the local climate. The soil has been improved with amendments including organic matter (compost), soil wetter and bentonite clay so water and nutrients are retained for plant growth.
“The selected plant species, soil amendments and mulching mean that this garden will only require watering for one summer season whilst it is establishing” said Lisa.
The Bay OK garden is the final stage of the Vasse Diversion Drain Enhancement project, which has been helping to address community concerns by improving the liveability, visual amenity and habitat value of the lower section of the drain.
“The project has included controlling erosion and revegetation on the banks of the drain, removing weeds and stabilising the banks and the recent construction of a viewing platform near the footbridge” said Lisa.
This project is a partnership initiative between GeoCatch, Water Corporation, the City of Busselton and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
The project has been funded through the state government’s Revitalising Geographe Waterways program.