An excavator was used on Wednesday and Friday of last week to pull nardoo roots and silt from the river bed. The nardoo was left on the bank and will be monitored by shire staff.

Collie Weeds and Waterways chairman and Collie Shire Council deputy president Glyn Yates said the trials would give the committee and the council “a perspective on the operational methods of controlling nardoo”.

“A number of the trials have already given us good results, but once this one is assessed we can recommend to council the best control method and start getting on with it.”

Cr Yates said the community had identified the river as a main concern and that concern “is shared by the council”.

Shire president Cr Wayne Sanford said the river is an important asset to Collie.

“I am sure we all feel a strong sense of ownership of it,” he said.

“The river through town was dredged for flood mitigation measures more than 40 years ago and the problems of the river have evolved since then.

“The answers and solutions to overcome the issues of the river will not be something that can be achieved overnight.”

Cr Sanford said the council, staff and community were demonstrating leadership on the issue of the health of the Collie River, despite comments previously reported.

“The work of the weeds and waterways committee in developing a position which can ultimately demonstrate options to be used on revitalising this tremendous asset is extremely important,” he said.

“The community alone will find it difficult to resource solutions to the problems of the river. It is incumbent upon the council, community and all stakeholders to push for resources from the State Government to undertake the necessary remediation works once a position has been formalised by the community.”

“The committee is extremely fortunate to have members of the public with not only a keen interest in doing something about our river, but also the skills and knowledge gathered from years of experience on the river,” he said.

“I appreciate that some members of the community have different perceptions about what the river should look like and what can be done to solve the problems and I encourage people to continue to take a strong interest in what is trying to be achieved.

“I am sure committee members appreciate any direct feedback. However, I feel strongly that the process needs to be given a chance to run its course.”