Premier Mark McGowan and Water Minister Dave Kelly have today launched the Peel-Harvey Estuary Protection Plan, or Bindjareb Djilba, the McGowan Government's plan for protecting the Peel-Harvey Estuary and its internationally recognised values.
The Peel-Harvey Estuary, which is the largest inland waterbody in southern Western Australia, suffered an ecological collapse in the 1980s because of nutrient pollution.
This led to an engineering solution in the form of the Dawesville Cut to help reset the ecosystem. However, reductions in river flow as a result of climate change, intensification of agriculture, and increased urban development, have continued to impact upon water quality in the estuary.
The Protection Plan launched today builds on the extensive research and work carried out over the last two decades in managing the estuary as part of the Water Quality Improvement Plan.
The plan provides a blueprint of actions needed to continue protecting and improving the water quality of the estuary so it can continue to support the community, ecology and economy of the region into the future.
The 10-year staged plan outlines the key actions required to deliver water quality improvements in the Peel-Harvey catchments and estuary. Key actions in the plan include:
- Improving agricultural practices and management of agricultural nutrients and fertilisers;
- Improving drainage water quality;
- Conducting catchment and water quality monitoring and modelling; and
- Developing policy and partnerships with stakeholders in estuary management.
The plan was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders and will bring together farmers, industry, traditional owners and the community to work together and protect the Peel-Harvey estuarine system for future generations.
The McGowan Government has allocated $6 million in funding from the Healthy Estuaries WA Program and State Government agencies to deliver the plan.
The Peel-Harvey Estuary Protection Plan can be found here https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/peel-harvey-estuary-protection-plan-bindjareb-djilba
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The McGowan Government is committed to the preservation of the Peel-Harvey Estuary's significant ecological, cultural, social and economic values for future generations.
"The Peel-Harvey Estuary Protection Plan will ensure the protection of this valuable natural asset, and builds on the McGowan Government's continued strong investment in the Peel region."
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"The Peel-Harvey Estuary Protection Plan provides a framework for the protection of the system for the next 10 years, delivers regional jobs and supports local businesses that rely on the health of the estuary.
"It also partners with the Bindjareb Noongar people in the protection of the estuary, building on traditional knowledge and expertise to help preserve this vital waterway.
"The Peel-Harvey Estuary is an important resource and this plan takes a collaborative approach across governments, industry and the community to ensure the system's sustainable management into the future."
As stated by Mandurah MLA David Templeman:
"Protecting the waterways of Mandurah has always been a priority of mine.
"The health and wellbeing of our community, our local environment and local economy are intrinsically linked to the health of this waterway. So this investment and protection plan is so crucial for the future of our estuarine system."
As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:
"The Peel-Harvey Estuary is an important body of water for all of those in the Murray-Wellington electorate and surrounding Peel and South-West communities.
"From our tourism, to our primary industries, to our leisure and lifestyle and everything in between, community members of Murray-Wellington rely on our healthy waterways from the scarp all the way to sea."
