If you have any additional resources you think should be added, please contact us — we are always keen to expand our library!

The Wheatbelt Natural Resource management group also have a very large collection of documents that are worth checking out – Wheatbelt NRM Resources

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation care for our rivers in the Healthy Rivers South West project and have a large data resource of science based information at the Avon catchment document collection.

Reference Documents

The Beverley River Care Group has collected a wide range of reference documents that are in categories
– Water, waterways and soil
– Flora, vegetation
– Fauna, animals
– Aboriginal heritage
– History.
Type in a category to the search box.
Click the column headings to sort by title, summary or category.
Click the document link to view or download the file.

Document name	Date	Category	Summary
Western Australia Ausrivas Sampling and Processing Manual	May 2009	Water	National River Health Program (NRHP) developed AUSRIVAS models to monitor and assess the ecological condition of Australia’s rivers, to assess the effectiveness of current management practices and to provide better ecological and hydrological data on which to base management decisions.
Floating Islands seminal work by Bernie Masters	2015	Water	Vegetated Floating Islands Enhance the Ability of Wetlands to Reduce Nutrients and Other Pollutants
Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates	October 2001	Water	Water Facts 2nd Edition. Streams, rivers, wetlands and lakes are home for many small animals called macroinvertebrates. These animals generally include insects, crustaceans, molluscs, arachnids and annelids.
Floating wetlands offer cost-effective nature-based water treatment	2025	Water	A new international study has endorsed artificial floating wetlands as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for improving water quality in rivers, lakes and wastewater systems.
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Teacher Resource Pack	2020	Water	Aquatic macroinvertebrates (water bugs) are easy to catch and come in a variety of weird and wonderful shapes. Students of all ages love looking at them, so they are a great way to stimulate student interest in environmental issues.
Constructed Floating Wetlands (CFWs) to enhance wastewater and surface water treatment	2025	Water	Constructed floating wetlands (CFWs) CFWs are a recent innovation for both stormwater and wastewater treatment. Similar to a hydroponic system, the roots of native plants grow into the water under the floating modules. They mimic the appearance of natural floating islands but are enhanced with the advantages of a wetland system’s biological and biogeochemical processes. The large surface area of plant roots also provide habitat for microorganisms (biofilms) which facilitate contaminant removal and capture of suspended particles within the water source. As they float on the water surface, CFWs can be retrofitted into existing waterbodies without impacting flood storage capacity.
Westernport Water has joined forces with scientists to explore how floating wetlands can be used in the wastewater treatment process.	2025	Water	The two-year research project from 2023-2025 involved the installation of a floating wetlands system on a wastewater lagoon at Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant.
New midge traps deployed around Maylands Lakes	2024	Water	The City of Bayswater has partnered with the Bayswater Community Men’s Shed to construct the traps, with Men’s Shed members building the frames that sit atop the bins which collect midge. Approximate midge numbers are reported each week. For more information on midge numbers, click on the Midge Management tile on the project page or visit PowerBI(External link) to view the data.
River recovery plan Qualandary Crossing to Beverley	2002	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation	Published by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in 2002 this research document written by Roger Underwood of York Gum Services contains very useful historical data and a plan for the way forward.
River Recovery Plan – Beverley to Edwards Crossing	2002	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation	Published by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in 2002 this research document written by Roger Underwood of York Gum Services contains very useful historical data and a plan for the way forward.
Hambly Oil Mallee planting project	2010	Flora, vegetation	A 2 page article on the planting of oil mallees on Boyangarra farm adjacent to Qualandary Crossing. It discusses the added benefits of alley plantings
Vegetation map Yenyening Lakes nature reserve and surrounds	2003 March	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation	Image of Yenyening Lakes vegetation zones.
A Regional Drainage Evaluation for the Avon River Basin	2009 March	Water, waterways & soil	A 28 page Regional Drainage Evaluation for the Avon River Basin produced by CSIRO
WA Wheatbelt Woodlands Consultation Guide	2015	Flora, vegetation	6 page guide is for farmers, local councils and other land managers who may have Eucalypt Woodlands on their properties.
The Yenyenning Lakes System; A Report on Experimental Management of Outflows at Qualandary Crossing from 1985 – 1990 and Recommendations for future management	1994	Water, waterways & soil	This 40 page report by the Yenyenning Lakes Working Group presents results obtained over 6 year of experimental opening and closing of the culvert at Qualandary Crossing and assesses water depth, flow and salinity.
Rights to Water and Associated Land: A Review	1998	Water, waterways & soil	31-page paper on some of the confusion around the water related legislation in WA. It also seeks to establish the place of common law in the administrative system of water law.
Macro-invertebrate Chart	2006	Fauna, animals	Macroinvertebrate visual guide, with pollution sensitivity ratings. From the South Australian government.
The Town Pool Weir	2022	Water, waterways & soil	Submission by Fred Bremner to reconstruct the Town Pool Weir to it’s initial status when installed.
Guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia	2009	Water, waterways & soil	A 631 page guide to guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia.
Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt: a nationally protected ecological community	2016	Flora, vegetation	This 12 page information guide is designed to assist land managers, owners and occupiers as well as environmental assessment officers and consultants to identify, assess and manage the Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt, a threatened ecological community, listed as critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), Australia’s national environmental law.
Draft Avon River System Management Strategy	1991	Water, waterways & soil	This 143 page Draft Management Strategy is a broad based document used to direct future management of the river system. The Strategy: • Identifies the issues facing the Avon River System and identifies tasks necessary to address these issues. • Identifies common management directions for agencies involved in management. • Defines roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in management. • Provides a management framework for existing and future issues to be addressed in a coordinated manner.
Vegetation Mapping and Assessment at Yenyening Lakes Nature Reserve	2007 Jan	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation	83-page study describing vegetation classifications and plant taxa, and considering vulnerability to changes in salinity or hydrological regimes.
Map of Yenyenning Lakes		Water, waterways & soil	Image from Yenyening Lakes Management Strategy 2002-2012, showing Yenyening Lakes.
Yenyening LakesManagement Strategy2002 – 2012	2002 Dec	Water, waterways & soil	76-page document on previous management arrangements, and a 10-year strategy with supporting biophysical information and management commitments.
A vegetation survey of Yenyening lakes nature reserve and adjoining vegetation	2003 March	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation	85-page study recording and describing vegetation at Yenyening lakes, without a detailed flora survey. Also mentions climate, landforms, soil.
A Regional Drainage Evaluation for Avon River Basin	2009 March	Water, waterways & soil	28-page document on drainage and discharge management strategies for the Avon River Basin, with modelling to predict streamflows, salt and water yields, and groundwater levels.
Wetland Native Grasses of Southwest WA		Flora, vegetation	Poster with 8 species of native grass.
The Wheatbelt’s ancient rivers	2005 Oct	Water, waterways & soil History	Document on how the geology and climate of prehistoric times has shaped the landscape of Southwest WA.
River Recovery Plan: Section 14,15,16 – Beverley to Qualandary Crossing	2002 Jan	Water, waterways & soil	36-page recovery plan for the Avon River from the outflow of the Yenyening Lakes below Qualandary Crossing to the upstream of Beverley townsite. Includes aims, key issues, strategies.
Riparian condition of the Salt River: Waterway assessment in the zone of ancient drainage	2008 Jan	Water, waterways & soil	132-page assessment of the Avon River Basins current condition, threatening processes and management recommendations.
Rushes and sedges	2000 July	Flora, vegetation	Descriptions of native rushes and sedges, and guide for appropriate species, location, site preparation, planting, and propagation.
The environmental management of the Yenyening Lakes, Qualandary Crossing and the Avon River in Western Australia and its controversies		Water, waterways & soil History	29-page document on the construction of the Qualandary Crosssing, the River Training Scheme, and environmental management of the Avon after the River Training Scheme.
Is the Qualandary Crossing no dam good?		Water, waterways & soil	Information on the Qualandary Crossing and salinity, with maps and diagrams.
An Illustrated Key to the Perennial Grasses of the Avon Wheatbelt Western Australia	2001	Flora, vegetation	59-page identification guide for native grasses of the Avon Wheatbelt, for the general public.
Nutrient management for the Avon River Basin	2009 Dec	Water, waterways & soil	132-page toolkit for managing nutrient loss to the environment from a range of land uses.
Native Vegetation Handbook for the Shire of Beverley	1997 July	Flora, vegetation	82-page book on revegetation and management of remnant native vegetation within agricultural systems.
Native vegetation of freshwater rivers & creeks in south Western Australia	1997	Flora, vegetation	46-page booklet for the identification of common plants found along the various types of waterways.
Managing waterways in the Avon wheatbelt: Field Guide	2008 June	Water, waterways & soil	125-page guide on the practical importance of waterways, with tools for management and information on issues like salinity.
Management of sediment in pools of the Avon River system	2009 Feb	Water, waterways & soil	24-page document on sedimentation of the deep pools of the Avon River system, the importance of deep pools, cause of problems, and management. Describes two restoration projects.
Living Lakes Project Stage 1: Part 1 Report: Feasibility Study in the Wheatbelt and Adjoining Regions	2011 Dec	Water, waterways & soil	179-page proposal to enhance lakes in southern WA that hold social, recreational and/or economic importance.
Revegetating with native grasses in the Avon catchment	2003 Jan	Flora, vegetation	Includes the benefits of using native grasses in revegetation, species selection, site selection and preparation, and obtaining, planting and maintaining native grasses.
Establishing samphiresin the Avon catchment	2003 Jan	Flora, vegetation	Includes description of samphires, benefits of their use in revegetation, site selection and preparation, species selection.
Review of the Economic Viability of SedimentExtraction from the Avon River Pools	2007 May	Water, waterways & soil	34-page study economic feasibility of recovery and maintenance of the Avon River pools at little or no cost to the Council or Government.
Avon River System Management Strategy Summary of Submissions	1993 March	Water, waterways & soil	23-page summary of submissions received for the preparation of the Final Management Strategy, to investigate actions to preserve and rehabilitate the river system.
Bulldozing the Avon	2015	Water, waterways & soil History	Written by Fred Bremner this 100 page record of the published records, newspaper clipping and minutes that led to the bulldozing of the Avon.
Birds of the Avon River Basin	2018	Water, waterways & soil Fauna, animals	228-page book for the general public, with descriptions of the Avon River Basin environment and threats, and bird species guides.
Bat box installation		Fauna, animals	Short description on suitable conditions for bat boxes.
Ballardong Noongar Budjar ‘Healthy Country – Healthy People’	2005	History	36-page document on perspective and context for Noongar specific projects to be supported in the Avon Catchment Basin. Includes Noongar values, culture, spirituality, history, knowledge, and aims.
Evaluating the conservation significance of basin wetlands within the Avon Natural Resource Management region: Stage Three Assessment Method	2009 May	Water, waterways & soil	100-page publication describing a wetland evaluation and classification methodology, for use at the individual wetland scale in the Avon Natural Resource Management region. Includes data on two trials.
Avon River catchment Water Quality and Nutrient Monitoring Program for 2007 Part 1	2007 March	Water, waterways & soil	26-page report on water quality at 39 sites on the main tributaries of the Avon River, including nutrients, salinity, and acidity.
The Avon Native Vegetation Map Project	2011 June	Flora, vegetation	181-page project collating maps from the Avon River Basin from 1978 to 2010, detailing native vegetation.
Avon River System Fact Finding Study	1986	Water, waterways & soil History	90-page report on the effect of land use and water management practices on the conservation and ecology of the Avon River system, with recommendations.
Assessment of the status of river pools in the Avon catchment	2007 Dec	Water, waterways & soil	68-page report describing 42 pools on the Avon River and 3 pools on the Dale River as identified in the river recovery plan series, with criteria for rehabilitation.
Avon River Management Programme	1999 Aug	Water, waterways & soil	45-page plan for management of the Avon River. Reviews issues associated with the management of the Avon River and its tributaries.
Qualandary Crossing floodplain mapping	2023 Approx	Water, waterways & soil	Image of Qualandary Road, marking floodplain boundaries.
Avon Basin hydrological and nutrient modelling appendices	2015 March	Water, waterways & soil	227 pages of appendices for the Avon Basin Hydrological and Nutrient Modelling report.
Avon Wheatbelt Ancient Drainage subregion	2001 Nov	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation Fauna, animals	29-page data report on subregional description, conservation statuses, biodiversity and threats, wetlands, threatened ecosystems, vegetation, fauna, flora, recovery priorities and actions.
Aquatic invertebrates and waterbirds of wetlands in the Avon region	2009	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation Fauna, animals	156-page book for the general public, on Avon catchment environment and threats, wetlands, vegetation, and animal species guides.
Aquatic Invertebrate Communities in Avon and Dale River Pools	2009?	Water, waterways & soil Fauna, animals	19 page Ecological report on the Avon River pools’ aquatic invertebrate communities, anthropogenic pressures, ecological value, and the importance of maintenance and restoration.
Aboriginal heritage assessment of Avon River	2020	Aboriginal heritage	WA government webpage asking for written submissions (now closed) regarding the Avon River under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
Aboriginal CulturalHeritage Act 2021Statutory Guidelines	2023 May	History Aboriginal heritage	Legislation on Aboriginal cultural heritage. Includes land utilisation and due diligence assessment requirements.
Avon Basin hydrological and nutrient modelling	2015 March	Water, waterways & soil	202-page report on a catchment model to quantify the flows, nutrients, and sediment loads in the Avon basin’s waterways. Also potential flows with land-use or climate change.
Landscape Rehydration in WesternAustralia: A Review	2022 June	Water, waterways & soil	Literature review on the positive impacts of Landscape Rehydration on stream and floodplain dynamics.
2010 survey of the Avon River basin farming community	2010	Water, waterways & soil Aboriginal heritage	Survey on landholders’ knowledge and skills in natural resource management, and engagement with the Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management.
Avon Basin, WA Wheatbelt: Acidification and Formation of Inland ASS Materials in Salt Lakes by Acid Drainage and Regional Groundwater Discharge	2008	Water, waterways & soil	Survey of surface waters in salt lakes of the eastern WA Wheatbelt (and soil and sediment hydropedological properties) to investigate the impacts discharge from salt-land drainage on salt lake geochemistry.
Effect of salinity on small, ground-dwelling animals in the Western Australian wheatbelt	2003	Fauna, animals	Study on the effect of increasing salinity on ground-dwelling spiders, scorpions, frogs, reptiles and mammals.
Wetland flora and vegetation of the Western Australian wheatbelt	2004	Flora, vegetation	52-page survey on wetland flora/vegetation throughout the wheatbelt and south coast of WA.
Modern and palaeogeographic trends in the salinisation of the Western Australian wheatbelt: a review	2008	Water, waterways & soil History	Geographical history of salinisation, and increasing salinisation under agricultural development and anthropogenic changes.
Monitoring malleefowls with camera traps in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt	2014	Flora, vegetation	A project involving landowners of remnant bushland in wildlife monitoring to promote interest.
Oral histories documenting changes in wheatbelt wetlands	1991 May	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation Fauna, animals History	54-page document with oral histories on environmental changes in wetlands of the WA wheatbelt, including vegetation, animals, water levels.
Preclearing hydrology of the Western Australia wheatbelt: Target for the future	2003 Dec	Water, waterways & soil	Considers whether restoring the original hydraulic and hydrological functions of the wheatbelt water system will lead to its recovery.
The vegetation of Western Australia at the 1:3,000,000 scale. Explanatory memoir.	2013	Flora, vegetation	154-page memoir for the accompanying map, explaining vegetation in detail. (Search ‘wheatbelt’ or ‘Avon’).
Pre-European Vegetation of Western Australia Map	2013	Flora, vegetation	Map shows original natural vegetation presumed to have existed prior to European settlement in WA. Descriptions of each of the vegetation types can be found in the memoir.
The Avon River Basin in 2050: scenario planning in the Western Australian Wheatbelt	2005 June	Water, waterways & soil	Scenario planning to identify issues and drivers of change for improving regional prospects in the WA Wheatbelt. Environmental (e.g. salinity), economic and social issues.
The wheatbelt of Western Australia	2003 March	Flora, vegetation Fauna, animals	Paper on the wheatbelt environment, changes due to development, changes in ecological processes, soil changes.
Understanding the responses of aquatic fauna to altered hydrology in Wheatbelt wetlands	2014	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation	A study on how climate and salinity drive the dynamics of biodiversity in Wheatbelt wetlands.
Trees and Water -a parable of the Avon River Roger Underwood	2022	Water, waterways & soil Flora, vegetation	Roger Underwood AM was a member of the Avon River Management Authority for seven years and wrote recovery plans for four sections of the Avon River.
Vegetated Floating Islands	2015	Waterways	Floating vegetated islands enhance biofilm growth, reduce nutrients, cool water, and provide habitat. Research shows biofilms, supported by plants, remove most pollutants. These islands, now used in Australia, improve water quality and biodiversity by maximising pollutant-removal capacity.