Narrogin environmentalists call on community and shire to help restore historic Gnarojin Brook River in town

Two environmentalists are calling on the Narrogin community and shire to help revitalise the now stagnant and foul-smelling Gnarojin Brook River which had given the town its name. Locals Raylene Storey and Len Culbong are determined to restore the 29.4km river that runs through the town to its once clean and flowing state to attract wildlife, maintain a healthy environment, boost tourism and bond the community. Narrogin had been named after the Aboriginal word Gnargijin which translates to a place of water. Ms Storey said they swam in the river as children but the stream had become lifeless and litter-filled since she returned to town in 2013. “It should be flowing, you got wildlife that comes through here and you don’t want it stagnated and smelly, that’s not a good look for the town,” she said. “It shouldn’t be that dirty and all the bulrushes are blocking the rest of the creek.” Mr Culbong said the community should rally as one to restore the Brook because it would create opportunities to learn about the environment and cultural significance. “It will create harmony and unity; revitalisation of culture and regeneration of country,” he said. Ms Storey said she feared the 800sqm fenced off-leash dog exercise enclosure to be constructed in the Gnarojin Reserve beside the Brook would increase the amount of litter, smell and water pollution. The shire’s 2018 Gnarojin Park master plan prioritised purifying the brook including water sensitive urban design treatment ponds, bank stabilisation, water filtration, pooling, wetland establishment, removal of exotic weeds with revegetation of native and Indigenous species. The plan outlined 133 community consultation responses that “revealed concerns for the deteriorating conditions” and “general health and safety” of the brook, but seven years on the river remained an eyesore despite upgrades of surrounding playground equipment, art and social facilities. Ms Storey and Mr Culbong said they were confused and disappointed that the master plan seems to have fallen short on the brook. Shire of Narrogin chief executive Dale Stewart said the shire “certainly retains aspirations to improve both Gnarojin Park and the Brook” but currently lacked funding to complete a restoration. “The adopted master plan required a capital investment of some $8 million, which is well beyond the shire’s current financial capacity without significant State or Federal grant support,” he said. “We acknowledge the ongoing community interest and the environmental, recreational and cultural value of restoring the brook and improving Gnarojin Park. “However, in the foreseeable future there are no identified funds to commit to the full redevelopment and restoration project.” Mr Stewart said elements of the restoration were incorporated in the shire’s long-term financial plan and in year three, 2027-28, of its current four-year corporate business plan.