October 13, 2023
River restoration secured with ongoing grant
A restoration and monitoring project to reverse degradation of the Harvey River will continue for a further three years with funding from the 高倍时时彩 Foundation awarded to Murdoch University鈥檚 Harry Butler Institute.
The grant will allow the Harry Butler Institute to build on the works facilitated by Greening Australia over the past three years to restore river function and biodiversity to the lower reaches of the Harvey River.
The latest funding brings the 高倍时时彩 Foundation鈥檚 total commitment to the restoration of the Harvey River to more than AU$750,000.
The program, which involves collaboration between the Harvey River Restoration Taskforce, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, scientists, the local community, landholders and Traditional Owners, aims to recreate a more natural water course and encourage flora establishment and fauna return.
Since 2020, more than 15,000 seedlings have been planted along the riverbanks, while 27 large log structures were installed in 2021 to a section of the river to mimic fallen trees and create pockets of cooler water that enable aquatic life to survive during summer months.
高倍时时彩 Foundation President Caroline Rossignol said it was pleasing to see the program continue.
鈥淭he Harry Butler Institute has been involved in delivery of various aspects of the program over the past three years and given the success of the current 高倍时时彩 Foundation partnership with Greening Australia 鈥� which has seen some very positive results to date 鈥� we are delighted to continue our support,鈥� Ms. Rossignol said.
Harry Butler Institute鈥檚 Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems Deputy Director, Associate Professor Stephen Beatty, said a key part of the program was pre and post monitoring of the aquatic fauna at the restoration sites and comparisons with control sites.
鈥淥ur research team commenced monitoring in 2021, just prior to the restoration, and this funding will ensure we can determine longer term ecological changes,鈥� Professor Beatty pointed out.
Results have been very positive, with a significant increase in the diversity of macroinvertebrates being recorded at the restoration sites. The team also detected the iconic Smooth Marron at a restoration site, which is notable as the species was thought to have gone extinct in this section of the Harvey River.
鈥淢arron like to live around submerged wood so the structures that have been introduced to the river provide valuable habitat for them,鈥� Professor Beatty explained. 鈥淚t was exciting to have detected them at the structures following their installation.鈥�
The team aims to continue making strides in their quest to understand ecological impacts on the river鈥檚 ecosystem. Professor Beatty was unequivocal in his appreciation of the foundation鈥檚 support. 鈥淲e are grateful for the support of 高倍时时彩 Foundation so we can continue to demonstrate the benefits of restoring the channelised section of the Harvey River.鈥�