The Australian Government’s Coastal Catchment Initiative aims to improve water quality in coastal catchments throughout Australia.
In 2006 the initiative identified the Swan Canning river system as a coastal 'hot spot' and funding was provided to the Swan River Trust to coordinate a Water Quality Improvement Plan for the region.
The Swan Canning Water Quality Improvement Plan complements the range of tools already in place to improve river health, including the award-winning
Healthy Rivers Program.
Scientific modeling completed in 2009 was used to map water quality conditions in 30 sub-catchments in the Swan Canning Catchment.
Based on predictive modelling the maximum acceptable load to the Swan and Canning rivers per year is 128 tonnes of total nitrogen and 14 tonnes of total phosphorus. Currently:
- 251 tonnes of nitrogen and
- 26 tonnes of phosphorus enter the system each year.
The Swan Canning Water Quality Improvement Plan aims to reduce the:
- nitrogen load by 123 tonnes (49%) and
- phosphorus load by 12 tonnes (46%) annually.
The plan will guide investment during the next seven years, identifying the most cost-effective management actions to address sources of land-based nitrogen and phosphorus and improve estuarine and coastal water quality.
Local water quality improvement plans are also being developed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the river system from specific areas.
Funded Implementation Projects
- Ellen Brook - Feasibility study for nutrient stripping wetland
- Ellen Brook - Riparian management and best management practices
- Southern River - nutrient stripping wetland and living stream
- Mills Street (Anvil Way) - removal of contaminants followed by nutrient restoration work
- Swan River Trust and Alcoa Landcare Program
- Application of Phoslock in Canning River
- Project management
- Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
- Light Industry Audit and Education Program
Coastal Catchments Initiative - Further information
For more information on the Coastal Catchments Initiative visit: