Sediment removal gets under way along banks of Vasse Estuary near James Richardson Park in Wonnerup

A sediment removal program has got under way on the banks of the Vasse Estuary, with hopes the move will reduce unpleasant odours for nearby residents. Works started last week on removing about 64 tonnes of sediment near James Richardson Park in Wonnerup which has accumulated over many years and has been linked to bad smells for residents during warmer months of the year. It follows several short-term projects in the estuary. Water Corporation will lead the charge on the project, occurring on a 220m stretch of shoreline. Up to 330 cubic metres of sediment will be removed using a vacuum pump and trucked to the Busselton Wastewater Treatment Plan for drying and treatment. The estuary is part of the Vasse-Wonnerup wetlands, which is recognised as an internationally important wetland. Water Minister Simone McGurk said the sediment removal would seek to strike a balance between reducing odour issues for Estuary View Drive residents without risking the wetlands’ conservation value. “It is hoped that this new project will provide longer-term relief to residents by directly addressing the source of the odour coming from sediments in the Vasse Estuary,” she said. Vasse Taskforce chair Pierre Yang said several agencies had worked together to bring the project to fruition. “Sediment removal will help address community concerns about liveability, visual amenity, and odour for residents,” he said. “The project will also improve our understanding of the effectiveness of removing sediments to reduce smells in this important waterway system.”