Over 50 people from the local community and management agencies attended a community information session on the Lower Vasse River at the end of November. The event, coordinated by the City of Busselton, aimed to update the community on action that has been undertaken and planned to improve water quality in the Lower Vasse River.
The Lower Vasse River suffers poor water quality over summer months due to elevated nutrients and low flows over summer that contribute to toxic algal blooms, which have been an ongoing concern for the local community for many years.
Posters of management actions undertaken over the last 10 years to reduce nutrients, early concept designs of the Living Streams project and the Vasse Diversion Drain upgrade were on display with representatives from the City of Busselton, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Water Corporation on hand to answer questions from the community.
Presentations were given to provide an update to the attendees on the value of the river, actions over the last five years to improve management and water quality, potential future approaches to reduce algal blooms through the Living Streams project and Vasse Diversion Drain upgrade project.
An important part of the evening was a presentation from two community members on the Lower Vasse River Management Advisory group. The group was established to support the City of Busselton implement the Lower Vasse River Water Management Plan. The community members shared their experiences with this group and passion for improving water quality of the river.
An evaluation of the event completed by attendees was very positive with all respondents satisfied with the presentations. The management of the Lower Vasse River over the last five years was rated positively by 75% of respondents and 94% supporting the proposed ‘Living Stream’ approach for the future management of the Lower Vasse River.
The City of Busselton will continue to lead the management of the Lower Vasse River through implementation of the Lower Vasse River Water Management Plan with support of the Lower Vasse River Management Advisory Group.
Further information can be found on the on the Lower Vasse River page, the City of Busselton Your Say on Waterway Management and Water Corporation Vasse Diversion Drain engagement hub.