One of the most significant issues of waterways management in Western Australia is the protection of the riparian vegetation.
Healthy riparian vegetation is vital to maintain ecological diversity, stable stream channels and good water quality.
A great deal of sedimentation in Western Australia’s rivers and estuaries results from undercutting and erosion of bank material caused by livestock trampling and removing vegetation cover.
It is therefore important that livestock access to waterways is restricted, though not necessarily excluded, so that the riverbanks can revegetate and stabilise. This should reduce stream erosion and improve water quality.
