Portfolio: Environment

Environment Minister Donna Faragher today announced funding of $1.15million for 18 priority projects that aimed to protect and rehabilitate the Swan and Canning rivers foreshore.

Mrs Faragher said the projects included erosion control, revegetation, weed control, river wall repair and the preparation of foreshore management plans.

The funding was part of the Swan River Trust’s (SRT) Riverbank grants scheme.

“These projects are an example of the State Government working closely with local government, along with environmental and foreshore protection groups, to ensure our rivers and shorelines are preserved for generations to come,” the Minister said.

“Foreshore protection and rehabilitation is integral to the trust’s work and Riverbank funding will boost the capacity of land managers to significantly improve shoreline condition.”

Mrs Faragher announced the new funding at John Tonkin Park, in East Fremantle, where a $27,000 Riverbank project to improve foreshore access for local residents had recently been completed.

The Minister said the joint SRT and Town of East Fremantle project included the installation of coir logs and fencing to protect the pathway and shoreline from erosion, and the revegetation with native sedges along John Tonkin Park.

“Before work began, the foreshore was being eroded and pathways were in danger of collapse,” she said.

“This project has dramatically improved public safety and the appearance of the area, as well as increased habitat through revegetation.”

Mrs Faragher said several parking bays which were being undercut by erosion were also removed and the land regraded and revegetated. Sand was also added to the foreshore to slow erosion and protect nearby trees.

Town of East Fremantle chief executive officer Stuart Wearne said the project was an excellent example of the positive benefits which could be achieved by partnering the SRT’s technical knowledge in river issues with the town’s design and implementation expertise.

The SRT and the Town of East Fremantle will now work to develop a long-term solution of erosion towards the Leeuwin boat ramp. The town secured $33,250 for this project in this year’s grants. Other recipients include:

· City of South Perth - $195,000: Restoration of a 400m section of river-wall south of Canning Bridge

· City of Swan - $173,500: Foreshore stabilisation and revegetation, Swan Riverside Regional Park

· Town of Mosman Park - $150,000: Groyne construction and beach renourishment, Mosman Beach

· City of Bayswater - $123,062: Construction of a revetment wall to prevent further erosion, Bath Street Jetty.

· City of Nedlands - $85,580: Stage Three of the Point Resolution restoration project, including bank stabilisation works and revegetation and erosion control works at Waratah Place

· City of Belmont - $70,306: Implementation of Section 4 of the Garvey Park foreshore restoration project

· Town of Bassendean- $61,000: Foreshore stabilisation and revegetation of Success Hill, Bassendean

· City of Bayswater - $42,400: Section Four of the Tranby foreshore restoration project, including creation of fishing nodes and removal of building rubble

· Department of Environment and Conservation - $40,360: Ecological restoration and installation of roosts, Alfred Cove

· City of Armadale - $37,920: Revegetation and weed control along the Canning River, Armadale

· City of Gosnells - $34,940: Revegetation and weed control along the Canning River, Gosnells

· Burswood Park Board - $28,000: Preparation of the Burswood Park Foreshore Management Plan

· City of South Perth - $27,000: Shore stabilisation, revegetation, weed control and fencing of Milyu Nature Reserve

· City of Fremantle- $16,800: Revegetation, weed control, rabbit control and supplementary plant watering, North Fremantle foreshore

· City of South Perth - $13,371: Preparation of a foreshore erosion control and revegetation plan for Salter Point Lagoon

· City of Canning - $11,014: Revegetation and foreshore protection, Halophila Bay, Rossmoyne

·City of South Perth - $10,334: Maintenance of Cloisters Reserve, South Perth.