City of Albany and the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation have teamed up for a $ 1million partnership to convert a former drainage basins into a wetland.
Phase one of the project has begun after 12 months of site investigation and project planning, including ensuring statutory approvals for aboriginal heritage.
Senior Civil Engineering Officer, Austin Rogerson, is coordinating the project and said the aim was to divert stormwater through the constructed wetland before it reaches Yakamia Creek.
“What we’re aiming to do is rehabilitate the area and establish a wetland system that helps protect the Yakamia Creek environment.
“Stormwater will be filtered by the vegetation to remove nutrients and other pollutants before passing the water back into the creek and discharging into Oyster Harbour.”
Mulching machines will clear the drainage area to prepare it for wetland construction next summer when bulk earthworks commence.
The wetland project is supported by the Regional Estuaries Initiative, a $20 million State Government program that seeks to improve the health of regional estuaries.
