CRC study calls for radical shift in policy on river pollution

Tighter restrictions on using fertilisers for lawns, golf courses and sports ovals could save the West Australian government around $800 million in pollution mitigation costs, according to a national research centre.

A study by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities claims current WA government policies provide “weak or no incentives” to reduce high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous pollution in the Swan-Canning estuary near Perth.

It says government programmes that “push more costs onto polluters might be considered”.