The Geographe Catchment Council (GeoCatch) recently won a State Coastcare Award for the ongoing success of the ‘Bay OK Program’ in encouraging the local community to look after Geographe Bay. GeoCatch have had a successful partnership with the Department of Water for nearly 15 years in managing the Geographe Catchment, which has cumulated in the development and early implementation of the Vasse Wonnerup Water Quality Improvement Plan.
Geographe Capes District Manager Kath Lynch said “the partnership with GeoCatch has enabled DoW to take the lead in implementing this plan, which has had far reaching outcomes in improving water quality across this and other priority catchments”.
The Bay OK concept was developed by Bev Thurlow as a catchy way to getting people to caring about water quality. “Geographe Bay is such an iconic asset for locals and tourist alike it is easy to sell the message about looking after the Bay” said Kath.
The Bay OK Program was officially launched on the shores of the Bay in March 2010 and since this time has successfully engaged 88 rural landholders, 500 urban landholders, 20 businesses, 4 schools and numerous partners from the local community, industry, government and agencies in reducing the output of nutrients to Geographe Bay.
“The Coastcare Community Group Effort Award gives deserved recognition to Geocatch’s Bay OK Program ‘, said veteran GeoCatch Member Barry Oates, who accepted the award on behalf of the Community Group.
“Already farmers, light industrial operators, urban gardeners and school kids are embracing Bay OK”.
‘Bay OK’ was developed to draw a direct link between the communities actions on the land and the serious consequences faced in the wetlands and Geographe Bay from an excess build up in nutrients and potentially harmful algae.
“Geographe Bay has the second largest temperate seagrass meadows in the southern hemisphere and any improvement or nutrient containment action, carried out by individuals, community groups or local businesses is a good thing”, says Mr Oates.
For more information on the Bay OK Program or to obtain a free Bay OK pack, please contact Gene Hardy at Gene.Hardy@water.wa.gov.au.
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