The Greater Brixton Street Wetlands is set to receive a $1.5 million funding boost from the State Government in an effort to preserve its unique ecological habitat and conserve Perth’s biodiversity.
The funding will be used to support on-ground conservation staff, community grants, and improvements to local signage, helping to maintain the wetland’s ecological integrity.
Located between Roe and Albany highways and Kenwick Road, within the cities of Gosnells and Kalamunda, the wetlands cover approximately 215 hectares.
This area is home to more than 650 plant species, including a number of rare and restricted species that no longer exist anywhere else, and makes up 20 per cent of Perth’s flora in just 0.005 per cent of the city’s total area.
As well as being a habitat for conservation-significant fauna, including the Carnaby’s black cockatoo, forest red-tailed black cockatoos, and the quenda, the wetlands also contain more carnivorous plants than all of Europe.
The state government said the funding would allow them to assist local community groups and employ an officer to oversee the area, undertake weed control, restoration, biodiversity monitoring, and rubbish removal.
WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby believes the funding will aid the conservation of biodiversity while ensuring the environment can thrive alongside new residential projects.
“As our State continues to grow, it’s important we do what we can to conserve our urban biodiversity,” Whitby said.
“This funding will allow us to look after a significant wetland in the heart of Perth’s southern suburbs and ensure that, as the city continues to grow, our environment can coexist with new developments.”
Earlier this year, the City of Gosnells Council unanimously supported elevating the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands’ status to a Regional Park, up from its current designation as a Bush Forever site.
However, some academics and conservationists criticised the move, arguing that it didn’t go far enough and that the proposed designated area failed to fully adopt the Environmental Protection Authority’s recommendations.
Member for Forrestfield, Stephen Price, said the wetlands are an icon of Kenwick.
“It is important that we continue to conserve these beautiful wetlands and the hundreds of plant species homed there for future generations,” Price said.
