VOLUNTEER PROJECT
PEEL-HARVEY CATCHMENT
Successful waterways regeneration depends on active community involvement. Volunteer groups engaged in local, ongoing environmental activities play a vital role in connecting communities with waterways and enhancing the long-term health and wellbeing of both.
To better understand and in turn support these essential efforts, WAterways has developed a practical new initiative designed to learn from (and amplify) what volunteers already do well. Taking place over 2026, the project be piloted in the Peel-Harvey Catchment (PHC) region of Western Australia.
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For a map of the PHC region, please use the following link (kindly provided by Peel-Harvey Catchment Council): https://maps.peel-harvey.org.au/#9/-32.6950/116.5193
Concurrent Small Grant + Research Opportunity
​​We’re offering grants of up to $5,000 for new or ongoing, volunteer‑led environmental projects in the PHC. The grants use a simple two‑stage process (EOI → full application) and are intended for not‑for‑profits (or groups auspiced by one). Projects should run 10–12 months and make a positive contribution to local waterways. Submit your EOI by Friday, 13 February 2026, 5:00 pm (AWST).​​​​
Click me for EOI Form
Alongside the grants, our research project will explore how volunteer groups organise, collaborate, and deliver impact. Using four short online surveys (open to any eligible PHC group, whether funded or not) and up to two interviews with funded projects, we’ll look at practical enablers: local networks, the role of small‑grant funding, volunteer recruitment and retention, information‑sharing, and citizen science. Participation is voluntary, and we’ll provide information and consent materials before any involvement.
Whether or not you apply for a grant, we’d love your perspective. Share the EOI link, take part in the surveys when they open, or look out for updates so we can keep you posted on milestones and early findings. Together, we can grow the evidence and tools that help volunteers make an even bigger difference.
This study has UWA Human Research Ethics approval. If you have any questions about the research, you may also wish to contact the Human Ethics Office at the University of Western Australia on (08) 6488 3703 or by emailing to humanethics@uwa.edu.au.
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If you would like to discuss any aspect of this study please feel free to contact Professor Kirsten Martinus by email at kirsten.martinus@uwa.edu.au, or Anna Costello by email at anna.costello@uwa.edu.au.