MORE than 23 organisations working directly on the Peel region’s drains and waterways were represented at yesterday’s Peel-Harvey Drainage Symposium.
The symposium, organised by Peel-Harvey Catchment Council (PHCC), was convened to encourage greater collaboration between government, industry, researchers and community groups working on a range of projects to restore and transform the Peel Region’s rural drainage system.
The system, which includes many drains dug during the Great Depression, was established to reduce the risk of flooding and excessive water logging to settlement and farming.
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READ NOWThe drains mean rain falling in Byford, Pinjarra and Harvey quickly ends up n the Serpentine, Murray and Harvey Rivers and ultimately waterways at Mandurah.
PHCC acting chair Marilyn Gray said rural drainage was important to the region.
She said the symposium presented many solutions that could be implemented by government, industry, developers, landholders and the community.
“Drains can be transformed to trap more nutrients, hold back water for agricultural use and even restore wetland for wildlife,’’ she said.
Water Corporation drainage and liveable communities manager Suzanne Brown said water quality in drains was a shared responsibility and it was encouraging to see more and more conversations about what could be done to help.
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