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
The successes of the past 12 months of the Revitalising Geographe Waterway program were showcased last week in Busselton at the program’s annual community update and launch of the annual report. A rare accomplishment in waterways management, Department staff were able to present significant reductions in nutrients entering many rivers and visual improvements in water...Continue Reading
A report tracking the progress of Revitalising Geographe Waterways’ projects is now available to the public. The Revitalising Geographe Waterways Report to the Community 2017 was released by Vasse Taskforce Chair and South West Region MLC Dr Sally Talbot. “This annual report to the community highlights work done over the past 12 months to improve...Continue Reading
A new soil amendment trial that aims to reduce the loss of nutrients to waterways has been established at one of the largest dairy farms in the south west of WA. A partnership between Yoongarillup dairy farmer Garry Haddon, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Iluka Resources is exploring how the soil amendment...Continue Reading