Beeliar Wetlands

The Beeliar Wetlands are made up of two chains of lakes and wetlands that run parallel to the west coast of Western Australia. They are situated on the Swan Coastal Plain between the Darling Escarpment and the Indian Ocean. Beeliar was the name given to the area by the Aboriginal people that lived and hunted in the area.[1]

Banksia woodlands between Murdoch University and Bibra Lake

The first chain of lakes and wetlands lies about 1–3 kilometres (0.62–1.86 mi) inland from the Indian Ocean. The lakes in this chain are mostly saline and often described as "seasonal" because they often dry up during summer months. The second chain is situated a further 6–8 kilometres (3.7–5.0 mi) inland and includes several large freshwater lakes. The Beeliar Wetlands are located in the southwest portion of the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia. The northernmost point is located in the suburb of Mount Pleasant just south of the Swan River. The wetlands stretch some 25 kilometres (16 mi) south to the suburb of Baldivis.

The government of the State of Western Australia has incorporated the remnants of the wetlands including some 19 lakes and numerous other wetlands into the Beeliar Regional Park managed by its Department of Environment and Conservation. The park comprises a number of separate portions and is not one continuous expanse of land.

Roe 8 damage

The extension to Roe Highway known as Roe 8 had been planned to pass through the Beeliar Wetlands. There had been significant opposition to the highway, including legal challenges and public protests.[2][3][4] Work on the project was suspended after a change of government in the March 2017 state election, with the incoming Labor government intending to cancel the project.[5][6]

As of 18 March 2017 a group of volunteers have begun spreading mulch – from the woodchipped original trees – as the first steps toward restoring the cleared area.[7]

See also

References
  1. Nevill, Simon (2001). Travellers guide to the Parks and Reserves of Western Australia. Simon Nevill Publications. ISBN 0-9585367-1-6.
  2. Andrew O'Connor (17 December 2016). "Roe 8 extension: Labor election win may not save wetlands". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  3. Andrew O'Connor (16 December 2016). "Roe 8: Save Beeliar Wetlands group lose fresh legal challenge against highway extension". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  4. "Save the Beeliar Wetlands". Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  5. "Perth Freight Link: Main Roads WA agrees to suspend Roe 8 project". PerthNow. Seven West Media. AAP. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017. Additional archives: 14 March 2017.
  6. Davey, Melissa (13 March 2017). "Mark McGowan stops Perth Freight Link in first move as WA premier". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017. Additional archives: 14 March 2017.
  7. Andrew O'Connor (18 March 2017). "Roe 8 project leaves ugly legacy across Beeliar wetlands after project dumped by Labor". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 March 2017.

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