A program to save native grass trees, some of them as old as 200 years, is underway in Jarrahdale, as the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale starts work on a new carpark for visitors to Kitty’s Gorge.
Gooralong Carpark on Atkins Street is being constructed to address concerns about overflow car parking by visitors to the top trail destination, which has been causing damage to Serpentine National Park.
To offset the removal of trees to make way for construction, the shire has worked with the WA departments of Water and Environmental Regulation, and Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to develop a comprehensive salvage plan.
One of the biggest hurdles is relocating the grass trees (Xanthorrhoea, or balga in Noongar) which are well-known to be fickle when experiencing transplant shock.
This is due in part to their sensitive root systems and the mycorrhizal fungi networks that intertwine with the root systems to help this plant survive.
For successful transplants extra care needs to be taken to ensure a good amount of original soil is transplanted – holes are dug twice as wide as the root ball, and transplants often take place during the cooler months.
All transplantable grass trees located in the Gooralong Carpark project area will be used for future landscaping projects.
In addition, steps to prevent disturbance to a small number of black cockatoos in the project area were taken by engaging a qualified zoologist to conduct inspections of potential nesting trees.
To support future breeding of the endangered birds, the shire is installing nesting boxes in the nearby conservation reserve with assistance from the local Landcare SJ group.
Gooralong Carpark has been designed by the shire to minimise potential impacts to native vegetation, with a qualified arborist identifying trees that were in a fit state to be retained within landscaped areas of the carpark.
Shire President Rob Coales said it was good news that the construction of a carpark could have a number of positive environmental outcomes.
“Local residents have long raised concerns about damage being done to Serpentine National Park due to an influx of visitors to Kitty’s Gorge,” he said.
“Obviously we want to encourage visitors to the shire, so the construction of this carpark is important for Jarrahdale’s development as a trail destination.
“It’s great news that salvaged trees will be used for future shire landscaping projects including Jarrahdale Heritage Park and Brickwood Reserve, with the rest being donated to Grass Trees Australia for use outside the shire.
“We’re extremely proud of the natural beauty we have here at the shire. So, the fact that we’ve worked in partnership with experts to create a space for visitors to park safely, while preserving as many native trees as possible, is a win-win.”
The Gooralong Carpark project is funded through an $8 million Australian Government investment in the Peel Regional Trails project through the Priority Community Infrastructure Program.
Work on the Gooralong Carpark is now underway, with traffic management in place for the duration of the project which is scheduled to finish by the end of May.
