Wansbrough Demonstration Site

The aim of this is trial, established in 2010, was to demonstrate the use of the Future Farming Industry (FFI) CRC’s SALTCAP2 saltland site characterisation protocol on a local site where saltland variability was high and the recommended targeted plants could be easily observed (highly visual site and major road) by the community. The trial also demonstrated that by investing in areas of low productivity, you can not only improve farm productivity but also the environmental sustainability of your agricultural.

Now, the trial is a well-known local example of a successful, long-term saltland pasture system that not only has contributed to the productivity of the farm but has begun to remediate the salt affected area. The site is highly visible from the Great Southern Hwy and we encourage anyone driving through to keep an eye out for the demonstration.

During the establishment of the demonstration trial the property was owned by the Irvings and is now owned by John and Jenny Christenelli. Please note this is a private property.

The project was a partnership with the Gillamii Centre, Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development (formally DAFWA) and the FFI CRC.

Pootenup Demonstration Site

In October 2019, the Patterson family took part in Cranbrook’s Saltland Master Class, organised by the Gillamii Centre and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). The Patterson’s farm is located in the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup, situated within the Balicup Wetland System, a series of naturally saline, seasonal lakes and is designated as a wetland system of national importance.

The district overall has a natural tendency for waterlogging, and subsequently salinity, as the water moves slowly from the north-east to the south-west towards Racecourse and Balicup Lake. The natural waterlogging and saline characteristics of the area have been further amplified as land clearing has taken place, changing the hydrology of the catchment. With such a large area of the property falling within this system and considered saline and/or prone to waterlogging, the Patterson's were looking for options to manage these issues while also keeping the area in production.

This demonstration site was developed as part of the Gillamii Centre’s project: Productive Saltland Pastures for Southern WA. Made possible by the support of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and CSIRO. Supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program, supported by Royalties for Regions.