Wungong Catchment Trial

Perth's forested catchments consist of mainly regrowth jarrah and marri trees. The Wungong Catchment is now considered as degraded having been altered by activities including past logging practices, the introduction of dieback disease and bauxite mining.

Catchment management aims to move the current state of the forest towards a more open forest that is more representative of its natural state with large mature trees growing [see link: Jarrah forest a century ago].

It is important that we understand the interaction between water, land and biodiversity and to manage this environment. This knowledge will help us to improve the current state of the forested catchments and ensure that they are once again sustainable.

The Water Corporation's Wungong Catchment Trial is a $20-million project that began in 2005 and will span 12 years.

The Trial aims to determine whether by thinning areas of the Wungong Catchment, now an overcrowded jarrah forest, improvements to streamflow (and hence the availability of water to the environment) can be achieved with minimal disturbance to local species.

The Wungong Catchment covers 12,845ha and is located about 60km south-east of Perth in the high rainfall zone.

The project will be trialled in about 62% of the Catchment area where non-commercial thinning will be carried out in accordance with the Conservation Commission's Forest Management Plan 2004-2013.

Forestry work undertaken as part of the Trial is done in accordance with the Department of Environment and Conservation's (DEC) three Interim Silvilcultural Guidelines [see link: Wungong Trial Publications].

It is anticipated that an average of 2-4 gigalitres of streamflow will be recovered annually - relative to the 'do nothing' option. This also will help address the effect of a drying climate in the Catchment.

The Water Corporation has partnered with environmental agencies, universities and research institutions to implement the Trial and better understand the relationship between forest health, water production and biodiversity.

There are many monitoring and research programs associated with the Wungong Trial that are being conducted by some of the State's leading scientists. Information on the various research topics appears in the project's newsletter titled Wungong Whispers [see link: Wungong Whispers Newsletters].

A strong commitment has been given to actively engage key stakeholders and the wider community in understanding the aims of the trial. Results of research and updates on current activities are available on this website.

The Water Corporation invites you to complete our on line form and register your interest in the Wungong Trial [see link: Keep Informed].

For more detailed information contact Project Manager Michael Loh on 9420 3728 or email wungong@watercorporation.com.au