DOCSLIB.ORG

Heavy Mineral Sand Deposits of Western Australia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Heavy Mineral Sand Deposits of Western Australia GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA RESOURCES BULLETlN 1 OF AUS LIA bY J. L, Baxter B. Sc. (Hons) Issued under the authority of the Hon. A. Mensaros, M.L.A., Minister for Mines 55531411 PREFATORY NOTE From 1957 until the end of 1974 heavy mineral sands, chiefly ilmenite, some zircon and latterly rutile, have contributed $104 million to the value of mineral production in this State, the value for 1974 alone being nearly $20 million. These figures indicate the importance of this industry which has a further growth potential. The industry is only young; continuous production commenced as recently as 1957, since which time it has quietly and confidently expanded. Initially all the mines were in the Bunbury- Capel-Busselton area but now the Eneabba-Jurien Bay area has commenced production, which is expected to expand rapidly. The author has investigated the industry by visiting all established mines, proposed mines, prospects and reported mineral occurrences. He presents the results of his field investigations and literature search in this bulletin. It contains basic information on the minerals concerned, mode of occurrence, description of known occurrences and prospects, notes on exploratory methods used and an extensive bibliography. This bulletin should become a necessary reference and guide for anyone interested in heavy mineral sands in this State. 2nd February, 1976. J. H. LORD, Director. National Library of Australia card number and ISBN 0 7244 6044 6 CONTENTS CHAPTER1 . INTRODUCTION Page History of exploration and production .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 10 Mineralogy . ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 13 Ilmenite ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 13 Altered ilmenite .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 13 Leucoxene ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 13 Rutile ............ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 14 Zircon ............ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 14 Kyanite ............ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 15 Monazite ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 15 Xenotime ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 15 Other minerals .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 15 Mining methods ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 15 Uses of the main products .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 17 Ilmenite ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 17 Rutile ............ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 17 Leucoxene and altered ilmenite .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 17 Zircon ................ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 17 Monazite and xenotime .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 17 Kyanite ................ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 18 Acknowledgements ............ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 18 Abbreviations and statistics .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 18 CHAPTER2 . PRODUCTION. RESERVES AND RESOURCES Production ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 19 Ilmenite .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 19 Zircon ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 22 Leucoxene .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 22 Monazite .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 22 Rutile ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 22 Xenotime .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 22 Reserves and resources .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 22 CHAPTER3 . GEOMORPHOLOGICALAND GEOLOGICAL SETTING Eustasy ................................................ .... 23 Coastal environment ........................................ .... 27 Settling environment ........................................ .... 28 Currents and waves ........................................ .... 28 Coastline shape ........................................ .... 29 Beach maturity ........................................ .... 29 Dunes ................................................ .... 29 Page Provenances ................................................ .... 30 Lithologies of heavy mineral deposits and associated rock types ................ .... 34 Beaches. dunes and associated deposits ............................ .... 34 Rocks underlying heavy mineral deposits ............................ .... 34 Overburden ............ ................................ .... 35 Coffee-rock ............ ................................ .... 35 CHAPTER4 . DEPOSITSOF THE SOUTHWESTERNAREA Prospecting recommendations .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 37 Regional geomorphology .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 39 Regional geology ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 40 Precambrian rocks .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 40 Phanerozoic rocks .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 41 Deposits on the Yoganup line .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 42 Yoganup Centrai mine .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 42 Yoganup Extended mine .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 45 North Boyanup prospect .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 46 Tutunup prospect .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 46 Minor occurences .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 47 Vasse ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 47 Happy Valley .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 47 Burekup ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 41 Deposits on the Waroona line .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 47 Mundijong prospect .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 48 Waroona prospect .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 49 Hamel prospect .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 49 Minor occurrences .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 49 Coolup ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 49 Wagerup ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 50 Yarloop ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 50 Deposits on the Capel line .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 50 Capel South mine .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 51 Capel North mine .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 52 Stratham South mine .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 53 Wonnerup mine .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 54 Stratham North prospect .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 54 Stoate prospect ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 55 Vine prospect .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 55 Prowse prospect .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 56 Minor occurrences .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 56 Ambergate ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 56 Dunkley ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 56 Norton ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 56 Australind .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 56 Deposits on the Minninup line .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 56 Koombana Bay mine .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 57 Wonnerup Beach mine .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 59 Minor occurences .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 59 Minninup .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 59 Forrest ........ .... .... .... ..I. .... .... .... .... .... .... 60 Siesta Park .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 60 4 CHAPTER 5 . DEPOSITSOF THE MIDLANDSAREA Page Prospecting recommendations .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 61 Regional geomorphology .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 62 Regional geology ............ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 65 Precambrian rocks ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 65 Phanerozoic rocks ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 65 Deposits on the Eneabba Shorelines .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 66 Adamson deposit ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 67 O’connor mine ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 73 Dobney prospect ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 73 Minor occurences ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 73 Mount Adams ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 73 Drummond Crossing .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 73 Bindoon Creek ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 74 Lake Indoon ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 74 Deposits on the Munbinea Shoreline .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 75 Jurien prospect ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 75 Cooljarloo prospect ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 77 Minor occurrence ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 77 Cockleshell Gully........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 77 Deposits on the Gingin Shoreline .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 77 Gingin prospect ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 80 Minor occurrences ........ .... .... .... .... .... .... ...
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Seasons Greetings to List)
    Everything you need to hit the trail! Seasons • 4WDriving Equipment • Cooking • Kayaks SUMMER 2008 • Backpacks • Fishing • Refrigeration & Coolers Greetings ISSUE#49 • Books, Maps & DVD’s • Gas Refills • Sleeping Bags RRP $6.00 • Camping Tables & Cupboards • Gazebos • Swags • Caravanning Equipment • Generators • Tents • Clothing for Summer & Winter • GPS Systems • Watersports s l e t t e u l m u n T • Bags • Headlamps • Portable Showers & Toilets N e w r f o r r i e n d s B i b b r a c k • Bait • Hiking Boots • Pumps t h e f o f t h e • Batteries • Hobie Kayaks & • Stretchers • Boating Accessories • Sunglasses • Compasses • Kayak Carts • Tackle & Tackle Boxes • Containers • Knives • Towels • Diving & Snorkelling Equipment • Lanterns • Fishing – Fly/Mosquitos The 10th Anniversary Finale • Fins • Lights • Reels • Masks • Masks • Rods • Footwear • Mats & Blow Up Beds • Tools • Hats • Nets • Torches Bibbulmun Track Foundation members receive 10% OFF* all recommended retail prices on Ranger Outdoors’ huge range of quality gear. 14 stores locally owned and operated located around Western Australia • www.rangeroutdoors.com.au Proudly Proud Sponsor BALCATTA Cnr Wanneroo Rd & Amelia Street 9344 7343 MANDURAH 65 Reserve Drive 9583 4800 Western Australian of the Bibbulmun Owned and Operated Track Foundation BENTLEY 1163 Albany Hwy (Cnr Bedford Street) 9356 5177 MIDLAND Midland Central (Cnr Clayton & Lloyd St) 9274 4044 OPEN ALL WEEKEND BUSSELTON Home Depot Strelly Street 9754 8500 MORLEY 129 Russell Street (Opp. Galleria Bus Station) 9375 5000 SUMMER
    [Show full text]
  • Final Report: Temporal Variability of Macroinvertebrate Communities In
    Supt'nrising Scientist Division ;/I!I',"/!a/ repIJI1 .Jabil'u Field Station LWRRDC Final Report: .. ,', �,var�ab'Uty of, "'. " L " Australian streams. Chris Humphrey August 1998 • • • Temporal variability of macroinvertebrate communities in Australian streams: • Implications fo r the prediction and detection of environmental change by • Chris Humphrey (Principal Investigator) Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, Locked Bag 2, Jabiru, NT 0886. • • FINAL REPORT TO LAN D AND WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Reference No. ARR1) • December 1997 • • • LWRRDC Final Report Project ARRI • Project title: Temporal variability of macroinvertebrate communities in Australian streams (Implications for the prediction and detection of environmental change) Principal investigators: Dr Chris Humphrey, eriss • Date of submission: December 1997 • Contents 1 Final report 2 Attachment 1 Humphrey C, Storey A & Doig L 1997b. Degree of temporal variability of macro invertebrate communities in Australian streams. • 3 Attachment 2 Humphrey C & Doig L 1997. Benthic macro invertebrate communities in riffle substrates of streams in the Northern Territory, 1994-1995: temporal variability and implications fo r MRHI model development. • • • • • ii • Abstract The degree and extent of temporal variability of stream macroinvertebrate communities have been investigated across a broad cross-section of climaticlhydrological regimes in Australia. Constancy or persistence of macroinv ertebrate communities was found to be significantly
    [Show full text]
  • Integrated Surface Water and Groundwater Modelling to Support the Murray Drainage and Water Management Plan, South-West Western Australia
    19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Perth, Australia, 12–16 December 2011 http://mssanz.org.au/modsim2011 Integrated surface water and groundwater modelling to support the Murray Drainage and Water Management Plan, south-west Western Australia J. Hall a, B. Marillier a, P. Kretschmer a, B. Quinton a a Water Science Branch, Water Resources Management Division, Department of Water, Western Australia Email: [email protected] Abstract: The Murray region in south-west Western Australia is characterised by a high water-table, sandy soils, wetlands of significance, and an extensive agricultural drainage system to relieve water-logging in winter months. Urban growth pressures in the region have led to the requirement of a Drainage and Water Management Plan (DWMP) to guide future water management. A key component of the DWMP involved the development of a regional surface water and groundwater model to determine groundwater levels and flows under various climate, drainage and development scenarios. The Murray regional model was constructed using the integrated surface water and groundwater model MIKE SHE, and consisted of unsaturated zone, saturated zone, channel flow and overland flow components. It had a constant grid spacing of 200 m, and covered an area of 722 km2. Calibration was from 1985 – 2000 and validation from 2000 – 2009 using 45 groundwater bores and 7 surface water flow gauges. The normalised root mean square error of the calibrated model was 2.02%. Land development, drainage and climate scenarios were simulated and their results are discussed in this paper. The process of model conceptualisation, construction, calibration and simulation is discussed, and provides an appropriate framework for model evaluation and a high level of confidence in modelling results.
    [Show full text]
  • Coastal Land and Groundwater for Horticulture from Gingin to Augusta
    Research Library Resource management technical reports Natural resources research 1-1-1999 Coastal land and groundwater for horticulture from Gingin to Augusta Dennis Van Gool Werner Runge Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/rmtr Part of the Agriculture Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Soil Science Commons, and the Water Resource Management Commons Recommended Citation Van Gool, D, and Runge, W. (1999), Coastal land and groundwater for horticulture from Gingin to Augusta. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, Perth. Report 188. This report is brought to you for free and open access by the Natural resources research at Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Resource management technical reports by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. ISSN 0729-3135 May 1999 Coastal Land and Groundwater for Horticulture from Gingin to Augusta Dennis van Gool and Werner Runge Resource Management Technical Report No. 188 LAND AND GROUNDWATER FOR HORTICULTURE Information for Readers and Contributors Scientists who wish to publish the results of their investigations have access to a large number of journals. However, for a variety of reasons the editors of most of these journals are unwilling to accept articles that are lengthy or contain information that is preliminary in nature. Nevertheless, much material of this type is of interest and value to other scientists, administrators or planners and should be published. The Resource Management Technical Report series is an avenue for the dissemination of preliminary or lengthy material relevant the management of natural resources.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019-20 Budget Statements Part 9 Transport
    Part 9 Transport Introduction The Transport portfolio delivers an accessible, reliable and safe transport system across all modes of transport, including road, rail, bus, ferry, freight, shipping, boating, cycling and active transport. It ensures an integrated transport network that facilitates economic and regional development, and focuses on long-term planning and investment in transport infrastructure for the State’s future. The portfolio is contributing to the achievement of the following Our Priorities and associated targets: • A Strong Economy − creating jobs; • A Liveable Environment − building METRONET and increasing housing opportunities nearby; and • Regional Prosperity − delivering strong regional economies. Summary of Recurrent and Asset Investment Expenditure 2018-19 2019-20 Estimated Budget Agency Actual Estimate $’000 $’000 Transport − Total Cost of Services ........................................................................................... 444,257 554,997 − Asset Investment Program .................................................................................... 35,873 38,284 Commissioner of Main Roads − Total Cost of Services ........................................................................................... 1,346,728 1,489,935 − Asset Investment Program .................................................................................... 1,222,169 1,265,111 Public Transport Authority of Western Australia − Total Cost of Services ..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Ministerial Decisions at at 12 October 2018
    MINISTERIAL DECISIONS AS AT OCTOBER 2020 Recently received Awaiting decision pursuant to section 45(7) of Pending submission to Pending decision by Ministerial decision the Environmental Protection Act 1986 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Aboriginal Affairs APPLICANT / MINISTERIAL LAND PURPOSE LANDOWNER DECISION September 2020 Lot 140 on DP 39512, CT 2227/905, 140 South Western Highway, Land Act No. 11238201, Lot 141 on DP 39512, CT 2227/906, 141 South Western Highway, Land Act No. 11238202, 202 Vittoria Road, Land Act No. 11891696, Glen Iris. Pending Intersection Vittoria Road Lot 201 on DP 57769, CT 2686/979, 201 submission to Main Roads South Western Highway South Western Highway, Land Act No. Minister for Western Australia upgrade and Bridge 0430 11733330, Lot 202 on DP 56668, CT Aboriginal Affairs replacement, Picton. 2754/978, Picton. Road Reserve, Land Act No.s 1575861, 11397280, 11397277, 1347375, and 1292274. Unallocated Crown Land, South Western Highway, Land Act No.s 11580413, 1319074 and 1292275, Picton. Pending Fortifying Mining Pty Ltd – Tenements M25/369, P25/2618, submission to Fortify Mining Pty Majestic North Project. To P25/2619, P25/2620, and P25/2621, Minister for Ltd undertake exploration and Goldfields. Aboriginal Affairs resource delineation drilling Reserve 34565, Lot 11835 on Plan Pending 240379, CT 3141/191, Coode Street, Landscape enhancement submission to City of South South Perth, Land Act No. 1081341 and and river restoration. To Minister for Perth Reserve 48325, Lot 301 on Plan 47451, construct the Waterbird Aboriginal Affairs CT 3151/548, 171 Riverside Drive, Land Refuge Act No. 11714773, Perth Pending Able Planning and Lot 501 on Plan 23800, CT 2219/673, submission to Lot 501 Yalyalup Urban Project 113 Vasse Highway, Yalyalup, Land Act Minister for Subdivision.
    [Show full text]
  • Ludlow Titanium Minerals Mine, 34 Kilometres South of Bunbury
    Ludlow Titanium Minerals Mine, 34 Kilometres South of Bunbury Cable Sands (WA) Pty Ltd Report and recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority Environmental Protection Authority Perth, Western Australia Bulletin 1098 May 2003 ISBN. 0 7307 6734 5 ISSN. 1030 - 0120 Assessment No. 1385 Summary and recommendations Cable Sands (WA) Pty Ltd proposes to develop a mineral sands mine in a section of State Forest No.2, near Ludlow. This report provides the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA’s) advice and recommendations to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on the environmental factors relevant to the proposal. Section 44 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 requires the EPA to report to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on the environmental factors relevant to the proposal and on the conditions and procedures to which the proposal should be subject, if implemented. In addition, the EPA may make recommendations as it sees fit. Relevant environmental factors The EPA decided that the following environmental factors relevant to the proposal required detailed evaluation in this report: (a) Tuart conservation; (b) Rehabilitation; and (c) Fauna. There were a number of other factors which were relevant to the proposal, but the EPA is of the view that the information set out in Appendix 3 provides sufficient evaluation. Conclusion The EPA has considered the proposal by Cable Sands (WA) Pty Ltd to develop a mineral sands mine in a section of State Forest No.2, 34 km south of Bunbury. Cable Sands (WA) Pty Ltd has worked hard with the community and government to develop an environmentally acceptable proposal in a region which has high significance for conservation.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development
    Part A Environmental protection and land use planning in Western Australia Environmental Guidance for Part B Biophysical factors Planning and Development Part C Pollution management May 2008 Part D Social surroundings Guidance Statement No. 33 2007389-0508-50 Foreword The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is an independent statutory authority and is the key provider of independent environmental advice to Government. The EPA’s objectives are to protect the environment and to prevent, control and abate pollution and environmental harm. The EPA aims to achieve some of this through the development of environmental protection guidance statements for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of proposals. This document is one in a series being issued by the EPA to assist proponents, consultants and the public generally to gain additional information about the EPA’s thinking in relation to aspects of the EIA process. The series provides the basis for EPA’s evaluation of, and advice on, proposals under S38 and S48A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) subject to EIA. The guidance statements are one part of assisting proponents, decision-making authorities and others in achieving environmentally acceptable outcomes. Consistent with the notion of continuous environmental improvement and adaptive environmental management, the EPA expects proponents to take all reasonable and practicable measures to protect the environment and to view the requirements of this Guidance as representing the minimum standards necessary. The main purposes of this EPA guidance statement are: • to provide information and advice to assist participants in land use planning and development processes to protect, conserve and enhance the environment • to describe the processes the EPA may apply under the EP Act to land use planning and development in Western Australia, and in particular to describe the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process applied by the EPA to schemes.
    [Show full text]
  • Submission of Form BA20 Notice of Consent to the Department of Housing
    Submission of Form BA20 Notice of Consent to the Department of Housing The following contact details should be used in relation to obtaining written consent from the Department of Housing as the adjoining property owner along a shared property boundary. 1. Where the Department of Housing property is occupied or construction has been completed the attached list of suburbs should be used to identify the Regional Office responsible for that suburb. The Notice of Consent Form BA20 and relevant documentation should be submitted to the Regional Manager using the details provided for that particular office. 2. Where construction has not yet commenced on the Department of Housing property or where construction is still in progress then the Notice of Consent Form BA20 and relevant documentation should be submitted to the Manager Professional Services using the details provided. NOTE – Approval will be delayed if the Notice of Consent Form BA20 and relevant documentation is not submitted to the correct processing area.
    [Show full text]
  • River Action Plan for the Sabina, Abba and Ludlow Rivers Vol 1. 2002
    River Action Plan for the Sabina, Abba and Ludlow Rivers Volume 1. Maps and Recommendations for Sabina River and Woddidup Creek 2002 Soil and Land Conservation Natural Heritage Trust Council Western Australia GeoCatch River Action Plan for the Sabina, Abba and Ludlow Rivers Volume 1. Maps and Recommendations for Sabina River and Woddidup Creek 2002 Prepared for the Geographe Catchment Council - GeoCatch and the Vasse-Wonnerup Land Conservation District Committee by Genevieve Hanran-Smith Funded by the Natural Heritage Trust and the Water and Rivers Commission ISBN: 0-7309-7590-8 This report was prepared for GeoCatch, the Vasse-Wonnerup LCDC and landholders in the catchments of the Sabina, Abba and Ludlow Rivers. Sections 1 and 2 provide background information on the river action plan and the study area. Section 3 details the methodology used in assessing the condition of the rivers. Sections 4 and 5 outline the management issues identified and provide general management advice. Maps showing foreshore condition rating, fencing status, river features, management issues and weeds are included in Section 6 with specific management advice for each section of river. There are three volumes of this report. One for the Sabina River and Woddidup Creek, one for the Abba River, and one for the Ludlow River and Tiger Gully. Sections 1 to 5 are the same in all the reports. Section 6 differs in each volume and contains maps and specific management advice for each of the river systems. Figure 11 uses colour codes to show the foreshore conditions of the whole river system. It also provides an index to assist with locating specific sections of river.
    [Show full text]
  • Rural Drainage Networks Vasse Taskforce | May 2015 |
    Government of Western Australia Department of Water Factsheet: 3 Rural drainage networks Vasse Taskforce | May 2015 | Major drainage works in the Geographe Catchment commenced in the 1880s when the Capel River was diverted away from the Wonnerup Estuary into Geographe Bay through the Higgins cut. Over the past 100 years drainage works including the construction of surge barriers on the Vasse and Wonnerup estuaries, a network of small drains to remove water from farmland, river diversions and a series of large arterial drains, including the Vasse diversion drain, were undertaken. This has significantly altered the hydrology of the catchment. The drainage system enabled farming on the coastal plain that was previously inundated during winter and protected the growing town of Busselton from flooding. The combined effect of catchment clearing and major drainage works, however, also substantially reduced the capacity of the catchment to retain sediment and nutrients, greatly increasing nutrients and organic matter entering catchment waterways and Geographe Bay. The Water Corporation is the lead asset manager for the rural drainage network and will work closely with the Department of Water, which will lead the implementation of projects to improve water quality in catchment waterways through improved management of the rural drainage network. Key initiatives include: • new catchment water, flood and landform model • feasibility study into reconnecting rivers • drainage management plan Project Spotlight New catchment water, flood and landform model A range of options for improving water quality in waterways in the Geographe catchment has been raised over a number of years. This project will develop a whole of catchment water model and develop an estuarine model for the Vasse estuary to assess the feasibility of these and new innovative options for changing water flow in the catchment.
    [Show full text]
  • The Distribution of Freshwater Fish in the South-Western Corner of Australia
    The Distribution of Freshwater Fish in the South-Western Corner of Australia Report to Water and Rivers Commission David Morgan, Howard Gill & Ian Potter _;: ':1 Fish Research Group I ' ,, School of Biological imd Environmenta!~Ciences Murdoch University,,..,• ~ · Water and,:Rivers C~mmission Policy a!)li Planning Division / WATER REsOURCE TECHNICAL SERIES WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION REPORT WRT4 1996 WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION © Water and Rivers Commission of Western Australia, 1996 Published by the Water and Rivers Commission Hyatt Centre 3 Plain Street East Perth, Western Australia 6004 Telephone: (09) 278 0300 Publication Number: WRT4 ISBN 0-7309-7250-X STREAMLINE ABSTRACT This study investigates the distribution of freshwater fishes in the Busselton to Walpole Region. A total of 311 sites in 19 major catchments along the south-west coast from Capel to Walpole, were sampled using a variety of methods. New data was collated with that from previous studies to generate 15 species distribution maps. Habitat and life history notes and recommendations for conservation are made for each species. Changes in fish distribution are also commented upon. This study contributes to series of documents published for the purposes of water allocation planning in the Busselton to Walpole Region. Other publications focus on the following topics: • Recreational Use on Waterbodies in the Busselton- Walpole Region • Report on an Investigation into the Aboriginal Significance of Wetlands and Rivers in the Busselton-Walpole Region. • Enviromnental Significance of Wetlands and Rivers in the Busselton- Walpole Region • Historical Association of Wetlands and Rivers in the Busselton- Walpole Region. • Divertible Water Resources Key Words Water Resources Planning, Freshwater Fish Distribution, Wetland and Rivers, Busselton to Walpole, Western Australia.
    [Show full text]