Restoring Collie River habitats
The aquatic habitats of two at-risk Collie River pools that were considered critical refuges for native flora and fauna during Western Australia’s dry season have been restored, thanks to a successful community-led program.
The Upper Collie Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project, partly funded through the State Natural Resource Management Program, focused on restoring the river pools which were experiencing declining fish and crustacean populations.
This involved removing woody weeds and introduced grasses, replanting native foreshore vegetation and installing woody debris such as fish hotels, logs, and root balls, to enhance biodiversity and improve ecosystem resilience.
The two-year project was led by the Leschenault Catchment Council which worked with Traditional Owners and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s Healthy Rivers team to restore the pools.
Members of the Danju – Jobs Together program played a central role in building the fish hotels as well as clearing the pools of woody debris. Educational workshops were held with local schools, with students helping to build some of the new habitat.
