Gascoyne Catchments Group Drone Surveys
Challenge
Catchment managers in the Gascoyne need up-to-date, high-resolution spatial data to guide land management and restoration projects across large, often degraded catchment areas. Traditional monitoring methods are resource-intensive and may miss critical changes in erosion, vegetation and hydrology, limiting the ability to target restoration efforts effectively and track recovery over time.
Solution
Rangelands NRM deploys drone-based surveys across established priority sites in partnership with the Gascoyne Catchments Group, capturing detailed spatial data that is processed into reports and maps for land managers. This approach enables regular, cost-effective monitoring that can detect erosion hotspots, track vegetation recovery and assess the condition of waterways and restoration works.
Impact
Drone surveys have improved the quality and accuracy of spatial data available to Gascoyne catchment managers, enabling more targeted identification of erosion hotspots and better monitoring of vegetation recovery. The program has supported evidence-based decision-making for restoration investments and strengthened the technical capacity of local land management groups.
Outcome
The Gascoyne Catchments Group Drone Survey program has established a scalable, technology-enabled monitoring approach that is transforming how catchment health is assessed and managed in the Gascoyne. By providing reliable, high-resolution data to land managers, the program is improving the efficiency and effectiveness of restoration investments and contributing to the long-term recovery of critical Gascoyne catchments.