A NEW initiative aiming to address declining river health has launched and is the first of its kind to consider environmental, social, cultural and economic factors in one integrated plan.

The BoorYul-Bah-Bilya program was developed by the Aboriginal-led charity Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association (BNAA) to create a new type of community plan for improving river health.

The program’s current focus is on the Helena River but BNAA hope the plan will provide a framework applicable to all rivers once complete.

BNAA reported that many rivers and waterways are degraded and less than 1 per cent are in pristine condition.

“Common threats include urban expansion, climate change, pollution, salinisation, acidification, vegetation decline, altered flow, erosion and sedimentation,” they said.

“Management of rivers and waterways is fragmented and shared across many different agencies and landowners.
“To have a realistic chance of restoring river health for the future, new thinking and approaches are urgently needed.”

The new program’s stage one activities include developing ranger programs, documenting the Helena River’s culturally significant places and documenting its current ecological health.

Auditing access points to the river to inform trail opportunities, educating community members about river health, and sharing information about the development of the plan are the remaining stage 1 activities.

In December 2024, the DBCA awarded two community rivercare program grants to BNAA for river restoration projects.
BNAA said the funds would be used for weed control, foreshore revegetation and habitat improvement for birds and other species dependent on waterways.

BNAA director Francesca Flynn said the program was a grass-roots approach to represent the whole community by allowing government, businesses, schools, residents and community groups to contribute equally towards the future plan for the river.

“It will enable us to benefit from the extraordinary local knowledge that exists within our community,” she said.

“Most importantly, it will help us to create the widespread transformative change that is urgently needed for our rivers and leave a lasting legacy for all Australians.”

BNAA senior Elder Greg Ugle said looking after rivers has important impacts on the entire environment.

“Water quality is what determines the wildlife and all creatures that need water to survive,” he said.

“As a Noongar Traditional Elder, my intention is to be sure to protect our rivers and the animals that live along them.”