31/10/00
A draft management plan outlining steps to improve the water quality of Ellen Brook was launched today by Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames.
The Minister said Ellen Brook was a major contributor of nutrients to the Swan-Canning river system, adding 26 tonnes of phosphorus into the Swan River each year.
“The toxic algal bloom earlier this year showed all of Perth just how serious the consequences of high nutrient levels in the river system can be,” Dr Hames said.
“In Ellen Brook, a combined effort from landholders, the Ellen Brook Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Group and Government agencies has led to the development of this draft plan, outlining future actions to continue improvements to the brook’s health.
“The Ellen Brook ICM Group, with support from the Water and Rivers Commission and Swan River Trust, has been working since 1996 towards reducing the amount of nutrients entering the river system and improving the catchment environment.”
The Ellen Brook catchment stretches across three shires, covering around 720 square kilometres of land — home to about 5,000 people — and includes sections of the Gnangara Mound, RAAF Base Pearce, two major urban areas and several national parks.
The draft Ellen Brook management plan was developed by the catchment group, with input from the Ministry for Planning, Swan River Trust, the Water and Rivers Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection and Agriculture WA.
“Much work is already underway to reduce the nutrient problem through the fencing off of the brook to restrict livestock access and revegetation work,” Dr Hames said.
“Funding from the Natural Heritage Trust and the Swan Catchment Urban Landcare Program has been made available to landholders to assist with this work.”
The draft Ellen Brook integrated catchment management plan is now open for public comment. For information on the plan, or how to get involved with on-ground action to improve Ellen Brook, contact the Ellen Brook Integrated Catchment Management Group on 9571 0300.
Media contacts:
Sandy Gater, 9424 7450
Damian Crilly, Chittering Landcare Centre 9571 0300.
