A project has been completed to remove 780 cubic meters of sludge from the Vasse Estuary to help reduce odours for nearby Wonnerup residents.
The project has been delivered through a partnership between the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and Water Corporation, which implemented an innovative technique to remove and dispose of the sediment.
A vacuum sucker attached to an excavator was used to remove the sludge, which was then trucked to the Busselton Wastewater Treatment Plant for drying and treatment.
The project removed all accessible sediment up to five metres from the shoreline along a 220-metre length adjacent to James Richardson Park.
Scientists monitored estuary water quality throughout the sediment removal process to ensure that there were no impacts on estuary water quality.
Sediment has built up on the Vasse estuary shoreline over many years, and when exposed during summer months, it causes persistent odours.
The Vasse Wonnerup wetlands are a unique and significant natural asset, recognised internationally for their importance as waterbird habitats. They are also a registered Aboriginal site. Using techniques to remove the sediment in an environmentally and culturally sensitive way was a priority for this location.
This project is part of Revitalising Geographe Waterways, overseen by the Vasse Taskforce, and part of the State Government-funded Healthy Estuaries WA program. More information on the program can be found at https://rgw.dwer.wa.gov.au/
Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:
“Estuary View Drive residents have been asking for action to improve the smell from Vasse Estuary sediment.
“The project has been a long time in the making, and I’m confident it will provide some relief for Wonnerup residents next summer.”
Comments attributed to Vasse Taskforce Chair Pierre Yang:
“This project has been made possible due to innovative thinking from Vasse Taskforce partner agencies who devised the unique methodology.
“The extent of improvements to smells from the estuary will be clearer next summer when water levels fall again.”
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