By Ms Ophelia Cowell, Masters student, Murdoch University
The Peel-Harvey Estuary, located in the South West of Western Australia, has long term and acute water quality problems. With its significant phosphorus load and sandy soils, periodic incidents include algal blooms and fish kills. Previous research findings confirm that the main source of P is nutrient discharges from the catchments that feed into the estuary.
Nutrient management is essential for maintaining drinking water quality and primary industries but also aquatic ecosystem health; aquaculture; human recreation and cultural values. A range of approaches (regulatory, community education, engineering) have been applied but reducing P inputs to the 75 t/year required to protect water quality will require new approaches.
Market based approaches have been used to manage various types of pollution in other jurisdictions. This study will examine the characteristics of successful schemes and, as a case study, the potential for a market-based approach to improving water quality in the Peel-Harvey catchment.
Ms Ophelia Cowell
Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation Conference
Radisson Resort, Gold Coast – May 21 & 22,
