Without considering the bushland and wetland areas within Perth Airport, less than 2% of the original natural vegetation areas remain within the City of Belmont. 

To protect the natural environment, support local flora and fauna and help to restore biodiversity, the City maintains 50 hectares of natural areas and completes several environmental restoration and revegetation projects every year.

Environmental projects

In 2020/21 the City will be implementing the following environmental projects.

Ascot Racecourse foreshore erosion control

Works will commence in January 2021 to re-grout the foreshore revetment adjacent to the Ascot Racecourse foreshore path. Planting will subsequently be undertaken in winter 2021. 

The project is jointly funded by the City and a Riverbank grant from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). 

Infill planting

Sedges and rushes will be planted at various wetland and foreshore locations during the active growing period in spring and summer.

Dieback hygiene stations

New dieback hygiene stations will be installed at two additional entrances to Signal Hill bushland, to complement the existing station at the Belgravia Street entrance. Walkers can use the station to remove soil and apply dieback-disinfecting spray onto the soles of their boots and shoes.

This will prevent the introduction of plant pathogens including Phytophthora cinnamomi, which kills many native plants including Jarrah, Banksias, Grass Trees, Zamia Palms, Hibbertias, Hakeas and Dryandras.

The City also undertakes dieback treatment using Phosphite stem injection and foliar spray every 3 years at known affected sites including Tomato Lake bushland, Hassett Street reserve and P.H. Dod reserve.

Floating wetlands at Tomato Lake and Ascot Waters

A series of floating wetlands have been installed at Tomato Lake and Ascot Freshwater Lake to help improve water quality and increase aquatic biodiversity. The structures at Ascot Waters also provides a perch for waterbirds.

Floating wetlands include modules, usually rectangular in shape, that use buoyant materials that suspend on the water surface. These are then planted with wetland plants, where the roots will encourage aquatic microorganism activity and take in nutrients from the water.

The modules consist of a marine grade non-permeable foam as the primary component for buoyancy and plant suspension.

The floating wetlands were installed during spring and will be left over the summer period where the plants will grow and utilise excess nutrients in the lake. They will then be harvested in autumn/winter and replaced with new plants.

For further information on these projects, please phone the Parks, Leisure and Environment team on 9477 7257.

Vegetation within the Swan Canning Riverpark and Development Control area

Trees and other vegetation located within the Swan Canning Riverpark and Development Control area are protected under the Swan and Canning Rivers Management Act and Regulations.  This can include vegetation located on private property. 

If your property is located within this protected area, you will need approval from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions before you can prune, remove or do anything which could damage or impact the vegetation. Penalties of up to $5,000 apply for damage to vegetation without approval.

For more information, please contact the Rivers & Estuaries Branch of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.