Healthy Estuaries WA

Healthy Estuaries WA is a $25 million State Government commitment, building on the work of the Regional Estuaries Initiative and delivering core actions of Revitalising Geographe Waterways. Launched in June 2020, Healthy Estuaries WA focuses on improving the health of Peel-Harvey estuary, Leschenault estuary, Vasse-Geographe waterways, Hardy Inlet, Wilson Inlet, Torbay Inlet and Oyster Harbour.

Program opportunities

Funding is available with landholders to erect stock exclusion fencing and/or to undertake riparian revegetation and buffer planting. This program is open to both large and small scale properties in the Leschenault Catchment. Landholders must contribute at least 50 per cent of the cost of the project through either cash or in-kind contributions. Follow the link to register your interest in this great opportunity.
Expression of interest form
Test your soils, refine your fertiliser program and increase productivity! Get over $5000 of testing and support for only $300 for farmers new to the program.
Join over 2000 farmers improving the health of our waterways by only applying the fertiliser that your paddocks need!
What’s included?
- Soil testing, advice and support valued at over $5000
- Soil sampling and chemical analysis of all eligible paddocks
- Results and advice at a local workshop
- One-to-one agronomic advice
- Plant tissue testing
Can I apply?
The program is open to beef, dairy and sheep grazing enterprises that are over 40ha of arable land in the Leschenault Catchment.
Register your expressions of Interest and find out more information here.
Get in touch with Project Officer Tony Battersby to discuss eligibility details and opportunities.
This activity is part of the State Government programs: Healthy Estuaries WA and the Bindjareb Djilba Protection Plan, and the joint State and Australian Government Soils - New Horizons program.

Services and Equipment available

Forage tests detail key nutritional factors so producers can assess how well the livestock eating are likely to perform. Small numeric differences in nutritional values can have a big impact on stock performances.
The LCC currently have hay and silage corers available for free loan. Get in touch with Project Officer Tony Battersby if you would like to borrow one.
Have a look at this instructional video for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyKaOSD5_7A
Understand your soil’s chemical and physical properties and make informed decisions on how to custom treat your soil for healthy plant growth.
Get in touch with tony.battersby@leschenaultcc.org.au today to organise a time to borrow the tester.
The LCC now have a microscope on-hand and can assist landholders with assessing the health and activity of your soil, including the types and ratios of micro-organisms present, and provide insights into your soil health.
Get in touch with tony.battersby@leschenaultcc.org.au today to find out more and book a time to bring in your soil sample.

Publications

The stunning Leschenault Estuary is highly valued by our community as a place of social, cultural and ecological importance, where fishing, crabbing, and other recreational pursuits are a popular way for the Greater Bunbury population to engage with nature. The Estuary also exhibits significant ecological values, including; being home to a resident pod of dolphins, part of the East Asian Australasian Flyway, an important habitat to resident waterbirds and other wildlife, an important habitat to a range of marine flora and fauna and an important interface between the Leschenault Catchment’s river systems and the Indian Ocean.

Unfortunately, in recent times the estuary has shown signs of ecological distress and water quality degradation, with sedimentation, nuisance algae, harmful algal blooms and fish deaths becoming more common. There is an urgent need to balance growing urbanisation and intensification of agriculture with long-term health of the estuary.

On Thursday 5 June 2020, Minister Kelly announced the State Government's $25 million Healthy Estuaries WA program.

The Healthy Estuaries WA program builds on the work of the Regional Estuaries Initiative and will drive action in catchments to improve water quality and restore the environmental balance of estuaries.

The program will continue work to reduce nutrient inputs from priority catchments, use the latest science to monitor and effectively manage waterways, and continue to build collaboration between community, scientists, government and industry.

The estuaries to be funded as a part of the program are the Peel-Harvey estuary, Leschenault Estuary, Vasse-Wonnerup wetlands, Hardy Inlet, Wilson Inlet, Oyster Harbour, and expands to include Torbay Inlet.

This program funds a range of on-ground works which are undertaken by the LCC in partnership with landholders and other government and non-government agencies throughout the catchment. These include soil and water testing, farm effluent management upgrades, fencing, revegetation and drainage, as well as new science and modelling, building regional capacity and programs to reduce fertiliser use in urban areas.

For more information on Healthy Estuaries WA visit https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au or https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/estuary/leschenault-estuary/, and if you would like to stay up to date with this project and hear about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please sign up to our mailing list!