Burgess Road Creek integrated weed management and habitat improvement 2024-2026
In 2024, a private landowner in Gidgegannup, in partnership with the Susannah Wooroloo Catchment Group, received funding through Round 7 of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ (DBCA) Community Rivercare Program. The project aims to reduce the spread of bulbous weeds, protect and restore the riparian zone of Burgess Creek, and enhance biodiversity by improving the condition and resilience of native vegetation and habitat.
Approximately 70% of the property’s remnant native vegetation remains intact. Planned planting of locally endemic species next year will further enhance the site’s ecological values by increasing native habitat, improving biodiversity, suppressing weeds and stabilising soils to reduce erosion. Together, these actions will help support a healthy and resilient ecosystem over the long term.
The catchment group is supporting the project through in-kind contributions. The landowner and local community are working together to undertake weed control, revegetation, contractor coordination and funding logistics. Ongoing monitoring, including photo-point assessments, weed mapping and bird surveys, will help track progress and demonstrate the project’s outcomes for the riparian area and the broader landscape.
A combination of weed management techniques is being used to control established bulbous weeds, including targeted herbicide application, de-heading, slashing and hand weeding. These treatments will be implemented over the next five years to progressively reduce weed infestations. Woody weeds, including Flinders Range wattle and Callitris, have already been removed by a qualified tree lopper to support the restoration of native vegetation
The seven-acre property is a long, narrow site that follows the meandering course of the creek. This landscape supports seasonally waterlogged wetland vegetation, including swamp peppermint and native sedges, which provide important habitat for macroinvertebrates and contribute to the ecological health of the surrounding Marri and Jarrah forest.
The project aligns with the City of Swan’s Strategic Community Plan by contributing to the development of an ecological wildlife corridor that enhances, protects, and reconnects local habitats. Through an integrated weed management approach, the landowner is helping to improve the condition of native vegetation and support the long-term health and biodiversity of the area’s natural ecosystems.
Contact
To find out more, or to get involved with the project, contact the Sussanah Wooroloo Catchment Group via their Facebook page: https://facebook.com/SusannahBrookCatchmentGroupInc/
