A new funding boost is strengthening efforts to protect Western Australia’s rivers and estuaries, with more than $2 million committed over four years to improve water quality outcomes through sustainable farming practices.
The investment supports the Healthy Estuaries WA program, which focuses on reducing nutrient loss from dairy farms into groundwater, waterways and downstream estuaries across the South West.
Delivered by Western Dairy in partnership with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, regional catchment groups and dairy farmers, the program reflects a collaborative, catchment-scale approach to water quality management.
- Want more information on what Inside Water is up to? Sign up for our weekly email, landing in inboxes with the latest news.
- Do you want the magazine delivered to your letterbox? Sign up here to subscribe.
Why estuary protection depends on farm practices
Nutrient runoff from agriculture is a recognised pressure on estuarine systems, particularly in regions with shallow groundwater and close connectivity between farms and waterways.
Dairy farm effluent, if not well managed, can be a high-risk source of nutrients entering rivers and estuaries. When managed effectively, however, it becomes a valuable on-farm resource that supports soil health, productivity and efficient water use.
For water managers, reducing nutrient loads at the source is critical to improving estuary condition and limiting downstream treatment and remediation costs.
How Healthy Estuaries WA targets water quality risks
The latest funding phase builds on more than eight years of work to strengthen effluent and nutrient management across the WA dairy sector.
Support will be targeted to farms located in priority catchments around seven of the state’s most at-risk estuaries, including the Peel-Harvey Estuary, Leschenault Estuary, Vasse-Geographe waterways, Hardy Inlet, Wilson Inlet, Torbay Inlet and Oyster Harbour.
An estimated 88 dairy farms operate across these catchments, representing the majority of the state’s dairy sector.
The program supports practical, science-backed improvements to on-farm infrastructure and management practices, helping farmers reduce nutrient loss while maintaining productivity.
Shared investment and industry partnership
The Cook Government has committed $1.024 million over four years, with Western Dairy and Dairy Australia jointly contributing a further $1.024 million.
Water, Climate Resilience and South West Minister Don Punch said the matched funding approach strengthens outcomes.
“Effluent management is critical to reducing nutrient runoff into our estuaries, and this project will help farmers adopt practical, science-backed solutions on their farms,” Minister Punch said.
Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson said partnering with national industry supports higher standards across agriculture.
“Partnering with national industry through this program will ensure the agricultural industry continues to incorporate leading standards,” Dawson said.
Western Dairy chair Andrew Jenkins said the program delivers tangible benefits for both farms and waterways.
“These changes are helping to reduce nutrient run-off and, in turn, deliver positive outcomes for the natural environment,” Jenkins said.
By working directly with landholders and industry bodies, the program shows how nutrient management at the catchment scale can deliver long-term water quality improvements for rivers, estuaries and downstream communities.