Regional Estuaries Initiative
The Regional Estuaries Initiative is a four-year, $20 million Royalties for Regions funded program to improve the health of six Western Australian estuaries. This is the biggest single investment that the state government has made in managing Western Australia’s regional estuaries.
What are estuaries?
Estuaries are the unique and vibrant places where rivers meet the ocean. The majority of West Australians live on or around estuaries - these water bodies are integral to our way of life.
Unfortunately estuary condition is compromised by drainage from agricultural, industrial and urban catchments.
Transforming estuary management
The Regional Estuaries Initiative will transform how catchments and estuaries are managed. It will support immediate action and develop the strategies needed for long term improvements in estuary health.
Efforts will focus on the following at-risk estuaries:
- Peel-Harvey
- Leschenault
- Vasse-Wonnerup
- Hardy Inlet
- Oyster Harbour
- Wilson Inlet
The initiative will work across five strategies to ensure that estuaries continue to support urbanisation, tourism, recreational and commercial fishing and port activities in the future.
It will fund a range of on-ground works, spanning soil and water testing, farm effluent management upgrades, fencing, revegetation and drainage as well as new science and modelling, regional capacity, employment and training.
