- Digital report cards track health of internationally significant wetlands
- Ongoing monitoring supports longterm protection of the VasseWonnerup system
- Cook Labor Government working with scientists and community to improve wetland health
- Part of Cook Labor Government's efforts to provide quality services as well as protect and restore Western Australia's environment
The Cook Labor Government has made tracking the health of Busselton's Vasse Wonnerup wetlands easier through the release of new Indicator Program Report Cards.
The report cards present the findings of longterm ecological monitoring in a clear and accessible way, summarising performance across a range of key environmental indicators.
Updated annually, the report cards ensure the community, scientists and decisionmakers can track changes in wetland conditions over time as new results become available.
The Vasse Wonnerup wetlands are listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and are highly valued for their environmental, cultural and recreational importance.
The report cards draw on spring and summer monitoring of water quality, aquatic plants, macroinvertebrates, fish and waterbirds.
The program translates complex scientific data into clear grades to support informed decisionmaking and community understanding. It is delivered in partnership by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University.
The initiative is funded through the Revitalising Geographe Waterways and Healthy Estuaries WA programs, reflecting the Cook Labor Government's priority of protecting and restoring Western Australia's environment.
Report cards can be found at the Revitalising Geographe Waterways website .
As stated by Water and Climate Resilience Minister Don Punch:
"The VasseWonnerup wetlands are one of Western Australia's most significant wetland systems and are deeply valued by the Busselton community.
"The Cook Labor Government is making it easier for the community to see how these wetlands are tracking through clear, annually updated report cards.
"By turning complex science into accessible information, we are building understanding and shared responsibility for protecting this important environment.
"This longterm monitoring gives us the evidence to respond to challenges like declining water quality and climate change.
"By working closely with scientists, local government and the community, the Cook Labor Government is supporting transparent, sciencebased water management and improving the health of Western Australia's waterways."
