Minor sewage spill

Wed 1/07/2009 5:00 PM
A minor sewage spill near the South of Perth Yacht Club in Applecross this morning has been contained, and the Department of Health is advising people to avoid contact with this section of the river.

Approximately 25 kilolitres of sewage flowed from a blocked pipe into the Swan River near the corner of Flanagan Road and Canning Beach Road. Signs have been erected in the area advising people to stay out of the water until further notice.

The Swan River Trust is working with the Department of Health to monitor the water and the public will be advised when bacterial levels return to normal.

As a general precaution people are reminded not to collect or eat shellfish from the Swan and Canning rivers.

Dolphin update

Results from the testing of two dead dolphins removed from the Swan River have been inconclusive. It is expected the results from ongoing tests will also be limited due to decomposition. Any further updates received will be published here and on the River Guardian’s Dolphin Watch site at www.riverguardians.com. You can find out more about becoming a River Guardian, or getting involved in the Dolphin Watch program, by visiting their website.

Riverbank Grants Scheme now open for applications

The Trust initiates shoreline protection and rehabilitation works through the Riverbank Grants Scheme and is pleased to announce the 2009-10 Riverbank Grants Scheme is now open. Applications close 5pm on 26 June 2009. More information is available for applicants here.

Dolphin Watch project launched

The Environment Minister the Hon. Donna Faragher launched Perth’s first volunteer Dolphin Watch Project on the Swan and Canning rivers on 1 April 2009.

The Swan River Trust, Murdoch and Curtin universities have joined up to create a new research and education project recording the activities of bottlenose dolphins in the Swan Canning Riverpark. You can find out more about this project on the River Guardians website.

Non-nutrient contaminants program

The Swan River Trust’s non-nutrient contaminants program was a three-year program to determine the nature of contaminants, other than nutrients, delivered to and present in the Swan Canning river system. The summary report is now available.

Feral fish in the Swan and Canning rivers

New reports of pearl cichlids, a feral fish species (found in the Bennett Brook in March 2006) have surfaced, prompting surveys of the Swan River near Eden Hill and Caversham. See here for more information.

River Guardians free membership extended

River Guardians - free one-year membership has been extended into 2009 for individuals, families, groups and businesses to involve as many people as possible in caring for the Swan Canning Riverpark. Sign up today at riverguardians.com