Funding available for natural resource management works in Geographe waterways

Owners of land adjacent to waterways in the Geographe Catchment area may be eligible for funding for works such as fencing, revegetation and associated weed control, stock crossings and off-stream watering points.

The South West Catchments Council (SWCC), through the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country Program, and GeoCatch, through State NRM funding, have incentive funding available for conservation and restoration works on private properties.

Twelve catchments are earmarked for the program, and the South West Catchments Council and GeoCatch are each responsible for six of these:

SWCC: Jingarmup Brook, Annie Brook, Gynudup Brook, Toby Inlet, Abba River, Five Mile Creek

GeoCatch: Carbunup River, Vasse River, Ludlow River, Capel River, Sabina River, Buayanyup River

The funds will be directed to works that demonstrate the capacity to conserve, protect and restore the targeted areas.

"The works will be carried out in accordance with the science-based management frameworks set out in the Department of Water’s Geographe Water Quality Improvement Plan," said GeoCatch Coordinator Sally Clifton-Parks. "The program aims to improve water quality in the Vasse Wonnerup wetlands and Geographe Bay by working with landholders to fence and revegetate their waterways."

SWCC and GeoCatch are working collaboratively to deliver similar results for their respective waterway catchments, according to SWCC Coastal Environments Program Manager Emily Hugues-dit-Ciles.

"Our two organisations have complementary programs and objectives. We are applying a coordinated landscape approach to addressing threats to these priority coastal environments," said Emily.

Landholders in the SWCC-listed catchments should call 9755 3432 or email Emily.lewis@swccnrm.org.au. Landholders in the GeoCatch-listed catchments should call 9781 0111 or email Jenelle.carter@water.wa.gov.au