The Upper Collie River has undergone substantial modifications to its surface water flow regime due to land clearing associated with agriculture and mining. Historical desnagging and deepening of the river have had a considerable impact on aquatic habitats within the system.

In collaboration with Traditional Owners and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s (DWER) Healthy Rivers team, the Leschenault Catchment Council have secured 2023 State NRM Community Stewardship funding to deliver an environmental restoration project aimed at restoring aquatic habitat in the Collie River. South 32 will also provide significant co-contribution to engage the Danju Aboriginal Field Crew’s involvement in ecological restoration activity.

The DWER Healthy Rivers monitoring team have found that fish and crustacean populations are sparse in the south branch of the Collie River below Lake Kepwari, primarily due to habitat degradation and rising salinity levels. During summer, the upper river system typically experiences reduced flow, forming a sequence of river pools. Between 2009 and 2017, there was an average streamflow reduction of 41%, posing a significant threat to aquatic biodiversity by compromising the quality of river pool habitats in a drying climate.

This project will focus on restoring riverine function and instream habitats, using large woody debris and logs to imitate a natural stream and installing fish hotels. The logs will help to form deep pools within the river, acting as key habitat and permanent water source in a drying climate. Once established, the new habitat will provide home for native fish and crustacean communities and encourage the return of species currently in low abundance such as the Western Minnow, Western Pigmy Perch, Cobbler and Night Fish and the threatened Carter’s Freshwater Mussel.

Biological monitoring will be undertaken before and after restoration activities, and local school students will be engaged in the program.

A Collie River Stories video will document Aboriginal and European stories about the river and record the river restoration process. The Collie community will have opportunities to learn about the natural and cultural values of the river and engage in restorative action throughout the project.