- Nearly $10 million awarded to regional environmental groups as a part of Healthy Estuaries WA partnership
- Projects to improve water quality and climate resilience across seven at-risk estuaries
- Funding supports sustainable farming and waterway rehabilitation to protect important ecosystems
The Western Australian Government has committed nearly $10 million in new funding to support community groups working to improve the health of seven of Western Australia's most at-risk estuaries through the Healthy Estuaries WA partnership.
This second round of funding will empower local groups and landholders to implement practical, evidence-based projects to reduce nutrient run-off and protect nearby waterways.
Projects include supporting farmers to apply fertiliser more efficiently through soil testing and nutrient mapping, as well as fencing stock out of waterways and revegetating degraded riverbanks to prevent erosion and reduce nutrient flow into nearby estuaries.
Launched in June 2020, Healthy Estuaries WA is a State Government program focused on improving the health of the Peel-Harvey Estuary, Leschenault Estuary, Vasse-Geographe waterways, Hardy Inlet, Wilson Inlet, Torbay Inlet and Oyster Harbour.
These estuaries are vital, not just for their ecological value, but as essential assets for climate resilience, recreation, tourism, businesses and the local economies of southern regional WA.
Local environmental groups and industry bodies will deliver the work in partnership with government agencies, ensuring strong local involvement and tailored solutions for each region.
Community groups that have received funding in this round include GeoCatch, Leschenault Catchment Council, Oyster Harbour Catchment Group, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, South Coast Natural Resource Management, Torbay Catchment Group, Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee, Lower Blackwood Land Conservation District Committee and Western Dairy.
For more information, visit https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/
As stated by Water Minister Don Punch:
"Healthy Estuaries WA is an important investment in our State's future, to ensure our iconic estuaries continue to thrive for generations to come. These areas are instrumental in supporting the natural environment and local industries.
"By funding these community-led projects, we're empowering knowledgeable locals to deliver real, on-ground actions that will improve water quality and strengthen biodiversity.
"Healthy Estuaries WA is about government, industry, farmers and the community working together to achieve long-term environmental outcomes for our waterways."
Funding recipients:
Community group and location |
Funding amount |
GeoCatch (Vasse-Geographe waterways and Vasse-Wonnerup wetlands in Busselton) |
$2,314,000 |
Lower Blackwood Lower Blackwood Land Conservation District Committee (Hardy Inlet in Augusta) |
$1,620,000 |
Leschenault Catchment Council (Bunbury) |
$1,324,000 |
Oyster Harbour Catchment Group (Albany) |
$1,324,000 |
Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee (Denmark) |
$1,324,000 |
Peel-Harvey Catchment Council (Mandurah) |
$1,324,000 |
Torbay Catchment Group (between Albany and Denmark) |
$515,000 |
South Coast Natural Resource Management (Oyster Harbour in Albany) |
$170,000 |
