Key wetland to become a nature reserve

18/3/04
One of the metropolitan area's most diverse wetlands - Brixton Street in Kenwick - is to become a nature reserve.
Launching the Government's Urban Nature program, Environment Minister Judy Edwards said the wetlands had now been returned to the community.
"Future generations can now enjoy this area which contains more than 320 species of native plants," Dr Edwards said.
The greater Brixton Street Wetlands site is 127ha.
The wetlands have been under threat since the 1970s, when the land was purchased by the State Housing Commission, but community concerns during the 1980s resulted in a public campaign to save the area.
The Environmental Protection Authority subsequently recommended against the development and supported the formation of a nature reserve.
"The management of the area has been strongly supported by a network of community groups including the Friends of Brixton Street, the Perth Wildflower Society, the Waterbird Conservation Group and the Environmental Weeds Action Network, which have all contributed to the on-going management of the wetlands," the Minister said.
"The Department of Conservation and Land Management has provided fencing and support to the groups and has organised and sponsored bushland care days at the site."
Dr Edwards said CALM's new Urban Nature program was a State Government initiative to meet the growing community interest in managing urban bushland and wetlands.
"These bushlands and wetlands are such wonderful areas that people are increasingly interested in how to manage them effectively," she said.
"The Urban Nature program will provide guidance for land managers and community groups on how to do it better.
"It includes a Bushland Management Advisory Service that provides advice, training and assistance to community groups and private landowners so that remnant bushlands and wetland areas are managed for their nature conservation values.
"Another key part of the program is Skills for Nature Conservation which is run in partnership with the Swan Catchment Centre and Greening Australia (WA).
"It provides free training in all aspects of bushland and wetland management for community groups as well as people working professionally in bushland restoration."
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure recently purchased the land for transfer to the Conservation Commission to be managed as a nature reserve.
The land will be managed by CALM with the help of local conservation groups.
Minister's office: 9220 5050