Published on Thursday, 30 January 2025 at 2:25:32 PM
The City of Busselton Council has supported a recommendation from its Waterways Management Committee to award a tender to BCP Group to undertake Stage 3 of a sediment removal program as part of a continued commitment to look at ways to improve the health of the Lower Vasse River. These works are to take place between Strelly Street and Reserve 41204 Isaacs Street.
The Lower Vasse River continually receives high amounts of nutrients which leach from rural and urban catchments, and these are also present in groundwater and existing river sediments. These nutrients trigger algal blooms over summer. It is hoped that the sediment removal program will result in the removal of large volumes of nutrients, although this will not prevent ongoing leaching into the river from the urban and rural environment.
Mayor Phill Cronin said: “While the river is in fact owned by the State Government, the City has accepted the role of Interim Manager and we take this responsibility seriously. We recognise the need to find ways to improve the health of the river, and in partnership with Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and GeoCatch through the Revitalising Geographe Waterways initiative, subject to outcomes of stage 3, we are committing to continuing with a staged sediment removal program.”
“A review of the effectiveness of Stages 1 and 2 informed the approach we are taking for Stage 3, and a further review will be undertaken at the completion of this third stage. These works are still subject to multiple environmental approvals before the dredging can proceed and will require ongoing monitoring to mitigate environmental risks.” said Mayor Cronin.
The City has already completed the first two stages of sediment removal in the Lower Vasse River in recent years and has secured a grant of $407,964 from State Natural Resource Management to assist with the cost of Stage 3, the total of which is budgeted at $938,025.
Objectives outlined in this statement are aligned with the City of Busselton’s Council Plan (2024 - 2034) Key Theme Environment – An environment that is valued, conserved and able to be enjoyed by current and future generations.
Ends. Media enquiries can be directed to pr@busselton.wa.gov.au
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