Traditional Owners have played a key role in restoring the aquatic habitats of two at-risk Collie River pools.

The pools, critical refuges for native flora and fauna during Western Australia's dry season have been saved thanks to a successful community-led program.

The Upper Collie Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project - partly funded by the WA Government through the State Natural Resource Management Program - focused on restoring the river pools which were experiencing declining fish and crustacean populations.

This involved removing woody weeds and introduced grasses, replanting native foreshore vegetation and installing woody debris such as fish hotels, logs, and root balls, to enhance biodiversity and improve ecosystem resilience.

The two-year project was led by the Leschenault Catchment Council which worked with Traditional Owners and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's Healthy Rivers team to restore the pools.

Members of the Danju - Jobs Together program played a central role in building the fish hotels as well as clearing the pools of woody debris.

Educational workshops were also held with local schools with students helping to build some of the new habitat.

WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Punch said the Upper Collie Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project "shows how working together can lead to real environmental improvements that help both nature and the local community".

"The project is a great example of how restoring the environment can also bring social and economic benefits - like creating jobs, building skills, and strengthening cultural ties for local Noongar people," he said.

Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said the project highlights "the power of community-led action - and the incredible work of organisations like Leschenault Catchment Council and the Danju team, whose contribution made a real difference to the success of this restoration".