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Marine Habitat Enhancement Mandurah (Western Australia) SCOPING STUDY & RECOMMENDATIONS July 2003 Prepared for: Peel-Harvey Catchment Council Inc. Prepared by: David J Lennon & Associates 1/19-21 Ormond Esp, ELWOOD, VIC 3184 gmidavid@tpg.com.auExecutive Summary Background The Peel-Harvey Catchment Council Inc (PHCC) is seeking to investigate opportunities to enhance the fish habitat in the regions waterways, particularly in the man-made canal estates in the Peel region. To this end, the PHCC commissioned this feasibility study to provide recommendations and appropriate technical material to consider the placement of artificial habitat into nominated areas of the regions man-made waterways. Funding for the feasibility study was provided by the Peel Development Commission, through the Regional Development Scheme, the Water and Rivers Commission and the Peel Region Fish Stocking and Management Association. Study Approach This study was conducted during the period from April to June 2003, and included the following: review of existing literature; two meetings with stakeholders supplemented by one-on-one meetings with developers and other relevant individuals; and above and below water inspection of potential sites. In order to help prioritise where efforts and resources should initially be directed, each site was judged and ranked on 11 attributes. Enhancement strategies were then developed for sites ranked in the top three. These were: 1. Mandurah Ocean Marina and Hall Park Public Swim area. 2. Port Bouvard ? Northport, and Port Mandurah ? Mariners Cove. 3. Port Mandurah ? Leeward. Enhancement of the Peel Waterways The initiative to investigate how the potential enhancement of the Peel Region?s man-made waterways should be considered as a ?pilot ?program. It is an ongoing process of deploying modules and observing results. An enhancement program such as this is not just about enhancing the physical attributes of waterways, but also about enhancing our understanding of the local system and how it is affected by our built environment. It is this improved understanding that can then be used to ?enhance? future decisions on the direction of the program, management of the Peel?s waterways, as well as further coastal development and research. Environmental management plans are only as good as the information they are based upon and this program over its lifetime can contribute valuable data as well as foster greater interest and support from the community for the sustainable use of the region. At this stage of the program, there is no objective to target the enhancement of specific species. However as experience is gained, it may then be appropriate to explore specific enhancement activities that target certain species, as well as how natural areas may be enhanced/restored or protected from wave erosion. Methods of Enhancement Three primary means of enhancing the constructed waterways are provided. 1. Structural Design Changes Perhaps the foremost inadequacy....