Launch of final management report on Yellagonga Park

The final report for the management of the Yellagonga Regional Park was officially launched today by Planning Minister David Smith.

The Minister said the Western Australian Government had spent about $8 million buying private land to add to the park's 1,400 hectares.

Yellagonga was part of a system of regional parks which the Government was preserving and protecting.

Others included the Beeliar Wetlands; Herdsman Lake; Woodman Point; the Darling Scarp; Rockingham Lakes and the Canning River Reserve.  Further regional parks would be added to balance urban development.

Next year's State Budget would include $1.45 million to assist the Department of Conservation and Land Management with the management of regional parks.

"Yellagonga Regional Park will protect some of the State's most environmentally significant wetlands and provide recreation opportunities for people in the north-west corridor," Mr Smith said.

"It incorporates Lake Joondalup, Beenyup and Walluburnup Swamps, Lake Goollelal and surrounding lands which support a wide range of wildlife.

"Yellagonga Park will play a major role in the open space strategy for the corridor which includes the Yanchep and Neerabup National Parks and the East Wanneroo Circular Lakes."

Mr Smith said the park was named after the leader of the Aboriginal tribe which lived north of the Swan River in the early days of the Swan River Colony.

The report had been initiated in 1989 when the Government agreed to the Yellagonga project's establishment.

About 70 public submissions had been received after the planning review's draft report was released in April 1991.  The final recommendations included:

·         an environment park with a nature study centre, barbecue and picnic area;

·         expansion of Neil Hawkins Park;

·         cycle paths and improvements at Picnic Cove;

·         platforms and boardwalks for viewing waterbirds;

·         an historical village for Perry's Paddock and a craft/recreation facility at Luisini Winery.

Mr Smith said many people had been involved in developing the Yellagonga Regional Park Management Plan.

Thanks were especially due to those who had served on the steering committee chaired by Wanneroo MLA Jackie Watkins, interested local community members and the Friends of Yellagonga.

Others included members of the Parks and Reserves Branch of the Department of Planning and Urban Development, LandCorp and the City of Wanneroo.

"Yellagonga Regional Park will be a park for the people, and especially the people of Perth's north-west corridor," Mr Smith said.