Public input sought on management plan for Woodman Point Regional Park

30/08/02
The State Government is seeking public comment on the long-term management strategy for one of Perth's most popular beachside conservation and recreation areas - Woodman Point Regional Park.
Launching the plan on behalf of Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards, Parliamentary Secretary and Cockburn MLA Fran Logan said the regional park was a significant conservation and recreation reserve in Perth's southern suburbs, attracting about 500,000 visitors every year.
"The park plays an important role in providing residents and tourists with a unique recreation area that contains significant conservation values," Mr Logan said.
"The long-term future of this area depends on managing the increasing demands of human usage with the conservation and protection of the park's environmental values.
"Therefore it is imperative that any long-term management strategies include public input to ensure a balance between conservation needs and community use."
Mr Logan said the draft management plan included strategies to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural values of Woodman Point Regional Park.
"The park contains important remnant vegetation that was once widespread along the Perth metropolitan coastline, including the only remaining extensive stands of Rottnest Cypress on the mainland," he said.
"The coastal foreshore of the park also serves as a refuge for a diverse bird population, some of which are trans-equatorial migratory birds.
"Numerous sites of historical significance are also found in the park, including a former quarantine station, a crematorium and gravesites, and an army munitions depot.
"These cultural heritage aspects provide excellent opportunities for education and interpretation activities within the park."
Mr Logan said the draft management plan was prepared by the Department of Conservation and Land Management on behalf of the Conservation Commission of Western Australia, in close liaison with the City of Cockburn, the park's community advisory committee, and other interested members of the community.
"The launch of the draft management plan now provides the community with the opportunity to review proposed management strategies and enter their own submissions," he said.
"It will also complement work recently completed under the Jervoise Bay Enhancement Plan, which has been funded by the Department of Industry and Technology as a condition of the Industrial Infrastructure and Harbour Development in Jervoise Bay."
Mr Logan said the Department of Conservation and Land Management was commissioned to plan and implement the $2million project, which aimed to enhance the conservation and recreation values of Woodman Point and Beeliar Regional Parks.
"The enhancement plan was finalised in December 2001, following consultation with the community, State and local government, and the first stage of works at Woodman Point Regional Park was completed earlier this year," he said.
"Improvements included works at John Graham Recreation Reserve, such as upgrading and re-modelling the carpark, creation of a new grass recreation area, tree planting, rehabilitation and the installation of new sitting areas.
"Numerous limestone tracks and an unsealed carpark were replaced with a sealed access road and carpark, and sitting and lookout areas were created at Woodman Point headland.
"Extensive dune rehabilitation was also undertaken using local coastal species."
Mr Logan said the completed works would greatly enhance Woodman Point Regional Park as a popular recreation destination with strong conservation qualities and would complement strategies contained in the draft management plan.
The public comment period for the draft management plan is open for three months. Copies can be obtained from the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the City of Cockburn.
Minister's Office - 9220 5050