The City has formed a Scientific Advisory Panel to develop and oversee a masterplan to address the environmental conditions at Maylands Lakes.
The Scientific Advisory Panel will provide independent, expert advice on the causes and impacts of poor water quality within Maylands Lakes that are leading to the over-abundance of midge, cyanobacteria blooms and other water quality issues.
This advice will inform the scope for developing a Maylands Lakes Masterplan addressing environmental conditions at the site, which will be presented for endorsement at the April Ordinary Council Meeting.
Panel members will then oversee the development of the Maylands Lakes Masterplan.
The City has appointed five experts from a range of relevant scientific fields and two community members to the panel.
Dr Brad Degens – Senior Soil and Water Scientist at Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
Brad has experience in carrying out applied research and investigations for practical management solutions of complex environmental problems. His expertise is in soil chemistry, biochemistry and nutrient dynamics, environmental acidification, hydrochemistry, hydrogeology and hydrology, environmental tracers, surface-groundwater interaction, water quality treatment and management, and aquatic toxicology and risk assessment.
Glen Byleveld – Program Manager, River Health Improvement at Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Glen’s career has focused on urban waterway renewal, specialising in water quality improvement projects for more than 18 years. He delivers projects in partnership with land managers, statutory authorities, catchment management groups, and researchers that include constructed wetlands, biofilters, living streams, soil amendment trials and oxygenation systems.
Helen Brookes – Director of Urbaqua, a not-for-profit environmental organisation supporting and delivering water and environmentally sensitive outcomes in WA
Helen has more than 20 years’ experience in the environmental and water sectors, from working as a consultant in Australia and the UK, and as a regulator with the UK Environment Agency. She has technical experience in hydrologic and hydraulic modelling and conceptual design of drainage and wastewater networks, receiving water quality modelling, statistical analysis and assessment of future risk.
Dr Mark Lund – Associate Professor at Edith Cowan University
Associate Professor Mark Lund has taught and conducted research at Edith Cowan University for over 30 years, with expertise in freshwater ecology and rehabilitation of urban and mine-impacted lakes. Mark has worked with a range of councils, including Stirling, Gosnells, Wanneroo, Joondalup and Cockburn on wetland issues around eutrophication and nuisance midge.
Bill Till
Bill’s career comprises 46 years’ service with various water management agencies within the State Government, including positions at the Department of Water as Supervising Engineer Urban Water, and Program Leader for stormwater, drainage and river management. Bill is the immediate past president of the Stormwater Industry Association of WA, and contributed to the City of Bayswater’s Environment and Liveability Framework as a water industry expert.
Community members
Dr Mark Dobrowolski and Michael Emond join the Scientific Advisory Panel as local residents with demonstrated community engagement experience and understanding of the water quality issues at Maylands Lakes.
Pictured left to right: Maylands Lakes Scientific Advisory Panel members Glen Byleveld, Dr Brad Degens, Helen Brookes, Dr Mark Lund, Michael Emond, Dr Mark Dobrowolski and Bill Till at a site meeting on Thursday 22 February.