Water Quality Improvement Plan

In 2003 the Commonwealth and State Governments jointly funded the Coastal Catchments Initiative to target nutrient reduction research and preparation of a Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) for the Peel-Harvey Catchment. The Environmental Protection Authority released a final plan in 2008.

The Plan proposes management measures and control actions across the coastal section of the Peel-Harvey catchment to reduce phosphorus inputs to the estuary. Its key components include:

• Management of rural  and urban lands;
• Management of rural and urban effluents;
• Protect and revegetate wetlands and waterways;
• Modification to drainage management;
• Targeted research;
• Monitoring and reporting;
• Identify and address barriers to uptake for management measures; and
• Foster community partnerships to promote awareness of collectively managed water quality issues.

A number of these components are now being addressed by a variety of partners.

The Department of Agriculture is targeting fertilizer use and management through the Fertilizer Action plan, which is operating across the greater Swan Coastal Plain.

The Department of Water is working closely with the Peel Harvey Catchment Council and other partners to deliver projects to retrofit drainage systems, improve foreshore conditions and biofiltration of nutrients

These and other Water Sensitive Urban Design principles are being used by state agencies, local government authorities and the urban development industry in new developments to improve water quality in the Peel.

If you need any further assistance, please contact the Peel Development Commission on 9535 0000.

Peel Waterways Institute

The Peel WaterwaysInstitute is a step closer to reality due to the Murdoch appointment of an Alcoa Chair in Sustainable Water Management.  Professor Richard Harper  accepted the position in September 2009.The Peel Waterways Institute (PWI) is to be a not-for-profit, charitable institute whose principal objective is to provide independent expertise and assistance on projects that preserve, protect, restore, and improve the Peel-Harvey estuarine system, adjacent catchment lands and related water bodies for the benefit of the broader community. The business case of the PWI integrates research, education and tourism founded on continued public interest in a sustainable environment, the preservation of aquatic/lifestyle/social qualities within the Peel-Harvey area, sustained urban and economic growth in the region and a continuation of national programs focused on natural resource management (eg salinity, water, soil).