Projects

Since the 1994 opening of the Dawesville Channel, the Peel Inlet, Harvey Estuary and lower reaches of the Murray and Serpentine Rivers are experiencing the anticipated impacts of higher and more frequent tides. This has led to significant changes in the estuarine ecology, particularly the fringing vegetation. The impacts have been aggravated, by the increased accessibility to larger recreational watercraft (via the Dawesville Channel) leading to accelerated bank erosion from boat wash and loss of fringing vegetation.

The major finding of the Peel Economic Development and Recreation Management Plan for the Peel Waterways (August, 2004) is that: “... without corrective action, the Peel Waterways will not be able to sustain the increased recreational demands of expected population growth. Under such stress, the environment will decline further unless resources are found for action in the catchment to improve water quality throughout the system, and affirmative action to restore the environment and habitats of the rivers, particularly the Murray and Serpentine."

The City of Mandurah’s foreshore rehabilitation project will enable the protection and rehabilitation of priority areas on both public and private land within the Peel Inlet, Harvey Estuary and lower Serpentine River and lakes system in a strategic and co-ordinated manner. The project will achieve the stabilisation of the riparian zones to provide long term benefits of improved water quality, habitat and biodiversity as well as better managed community and visitor access. The project hopes to encourage community stewardship which will ensure the immediate and ongoing care of Mandurah’s waterways.