Our Organisation Our Catchment Our Projects CCI Projects Resources and Publications Water Excellence

Murray-Serpentine Rivercare

Project Title: Peel-Harvey Rivercare Action                                             Project Code: W4-03
Funding Source: South West Catchments Council Regional NRM Investment Plan 2005-06 with funding provided by the Australian and Western Australian Governments.
Start: July 2005 End: June 2006 and on-going Project Officer: Alex Hams (Murray, Serpentine)

Rivercare Action has been a significant priority of the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council for many years; the current project is the latest iteration of the P-H Rivercare Action project that began as an NHT Priority Project in June 2003.  The original project involved three elements:

  • progressing the work of the Harvey River Restoration Taskforce by creating aquatic refugia and ecological links;

  • river action planning and implementation for the Murray River focussing on bank protection and revegetation; and

  • the extension of drainage best management practices in the Serpentine River as developed through the Dirk Brook Project which address drain stabilisation, reinstatement of ecological values, and water quality protection.

Jesse Steele and Alex Hams were appointed as Rivercare officers by the PHCC in September 2003, with Alex's time devoted to working on the Murray and Serpentine Rivers in the North of the Peel-Harvey Catchment.

On the Serpentine River and the associated drainage system fencing and revegetation projects including riffle design and construction work has been proceeding.  Thirty two separate projects have/are being undertaken, protecting 22.65 km of river, streams and drains.  There is 20.85 km of fences constructed and 42,350 seedlings planted.  There have also been 9 stock crossings and one watering point established.  Some 45 ha of wetland will be protected.  Sampling of Dirk Brook Project is continuing to gain valuable data on BMPs for drainage and water harvesting.

This project is also associated with “Peel Waterways Foreshore Rehabilitation Project” run by the City of Mandurah, which is primarily involved in the rehabilitation of the Lower Serpentine River and some key nodes on the Peel-Harvey Estuary.

On the Murray River on the Ravenswood Sanctuary reach, a 6 km by 30 metre riparian zone has been re-established.  25,000 local native seedlings have been planted in late July 2004.  The base for a path has been created to allow access for walkers to enjoy the river without impacting upon the revegetation. Signage has been erected to highlight the work that has been done and recognise the major contributors. Since this project has started, there has been two km of bank protection through planting Sedges and Rushes and installing Baffle Boards. There has also been a further four landholder based revegetation projects completed covering a further 10ha and 4km of Murray River foreshore. Work on all of these sites is continuing with infill planting scheduled for winter 2006.

On the Upper-Murray (Hotham and Williams Rivers) three Rivercare workshops have been held in Boddington and Williams and 34 Rivercare grants have been approved with a great deal of interest in gaining access to future grants.  The grants have seen almost 70km of fencing erected; 26,000 seedlings being planted; four river crossings and two watering points with a tank and solar pump constructed.

There have also been several major achievements by the local community groups in the region with the assistance of Rivercare Officers and Departmental advice. These include the construction of the Lions Weir Fish Ladder and Williams St Crossing on the Hotham River in Boddington; and developing a River Action Plan for the Williams River between Williams and Quindanning.

The following presentation was provided at the Peel-Harvey Annual Community Forum in 2006 by the Peel-Harvey Rivercare Officers and is available for download here:

Rivercare Action ACF 2006

(please note the large file size - 5.0 Mb, downloading may take some time)

For more information, including advice on how to attain funding for a project in your area please contact Alex Hams at the Peel Waterways Centre on (08) 9550 4222 or via info@peel-harvey.org.au


Back to top