Wetland breathes life into Yakamia Creek

The new Centennial Park Wetland opens today in a bid to increase the health of Albany’s Yakamia Creek.

The 1.1ha area has been transformed into a basin as part of the $1.2 million Yakamia Creek biofiltration wetland project.

It will be the first constructed wetland in Albany

The basin will be vegetated with native sedges, low shrubs and tall trees to strip nutrients from the water before it flows into the creek.

Earthworks are almost complete on the project, which has been equally funded by the City of Albany and the State Government.

City of Albany senior civil engineering officer Austin Rogerson said Albany’s waterways were some of the cleanest in Australia.

“We enjoy fishing, swimming and recreation associated with clean water and healthy ecosystems and we have a responsibility to clean our water before it pollutes the ecosystem and risks damaging our natural harbours,” he said.

“Of the contributing creeks and rivers into Oyster Harbour, Yakamia Creek water is the poorest water quality.”

Poor water quality has caused seagrass in Oyster Harbour to decline, reducing the habitat and food for birds and marine life.

Water Minister Dave Kelly said industries such as fishing and tourism relied on the health of Oyster Harbour.

“With concerns about excess nutrients and sediments causing algal growth and causing harm to the health of the harbour and the marine animals found within it, this project was a good investment,” he said.

Albany MLA Peter Watson said the wetland system would also be a new and vibrant place for the community to connect with nature.

Members of the public are welcome to help plant native species after the official opening of the wetland at 11am today.