 
The Torbay Catchment Group hosted a workshop on 21 October to look at the spring wildflowers and learn about methods of weed control. Approximately 30 people attended the workshop, which was held at the Torbay Hall on a beautiful spring morning. The walk trail around the hall is a lovely walk, with plenty of flowers on show. The walk goes through several different types of vegetation, from Melaleuca Swamp to Karri-Sheoak forest. When it comes to looking after your bush, Dianne Harwood, from Denmark Bush Care, gave us lots of good advice on bush regeneration and controlling weeds with minimal impact on the bush. John Moore from the Department of Agriculture & Food, demonstrated a range of different tools and techniques for the chemical control of weeds. Everyone appreciated the freebies that John handed around. They will make that job of controlling the weeds that much easier. Thanks John! Wildlife Carers, Carol & Sue, from Born Free Wildlife Carers, provided a great display with loads of information about caring for our native animals who have been injured. The live displays also created a lot of interest. A good morning was had by all. Many thanks to all our presenters for generating enthusiasm in the audience and sharing their knowledge.
 John Moore, Department of Agriculture, delivering to his rapt audience, some of the tricks and tips to good weed control
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 Dianne Harwood, at the workshop, showing one of the nasty ones, Sydney Golden Wattle
New research has commenced in the catchment to determine the environmental water requirements (EWR) of Marbellup Brook, Torbay Inlet and Lakes Powell & Manarup. The EWR studies will give us a better understanding of how much water the environment needs to sustain itself, and whether there is enough water in Marbellup Brook to access for consumption by Water Corporation. The research will take 12 months to complete and the Department of Water will report back to the community during 2007. Any queries can be directed to Sharon Stratico at the Department of Water on 9841-0125
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As part of our prestigious Thiess National Riverprize win, the Torbay Catchment Group is being encouraged by the International Riverfoundation to "twin" with another catchment either in Australia or overseas. The idea is to develop a relationship with a community involved in waterways and land management with whom we can both "share and learn". Previous catchment winners have twinned with a variety of groups worldwide. These include an indigenous school program in the Gulf of Carpentaria with the focus on river health and catchment issues; a "Green English" and environmental program with a college in Southern Thailand; a mentor relationship with a watershed in Argentina; help to restore the shrinking Lake Bam in Burkina Faso, West Africa; degraded habitat restoration for wild salmon, Sakhalin Island, Russia; and help in the Tiangol Mangol Basin, Senegal. At this stage, we are in the process of finalizing an "Expressions of Interest" document which can be passed on to international contacts and organizations. It is really important that we have a selection of "possibles" to choose from; this part of the matchmaking process is a huge challenge! We'd really love to hear from you if you would like to be involved or have friends or contacts with communities, preferably within comparatively easy reach of WA, who might be interested in "twinning" with us.
Please contact:
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You will have noticed
that a CD has been
included with your
newsletter. This CD is
the Watershed Torbay
Compendium. The
CD contains the
catchment restoration plan, copies of
all the research that was done, copies
of the old newsletters and maps of
the catchment. We hope that you
will find the information useful.