Bibra Lake ReserveThe Bibra Lake Reserve is located in the northern part of Cockburn on Progress Drive. Bibra Lake is part of the Beeliar Regional Park and is a Bush Forever site. It has many environmental, heritage and recreational values and is also regarded as a significant site by the Whadjuk Nyungar community.
Revegetation – Bibra Lake has undergone many large scale revegetation projects over the years with great success. In late June, the City will undertake revegetation of the eastern side of Bibra Lake by slashing and spraying the exotic grasses, before revegetating the area with native species to enhance and restore the reserves biodiversity.
Previously revegetated areas of Bibra Lake have now become home to a wide range of wildlife including Southern Brown Bandicoots, Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Boobook Owls, microbats, and many species of frog and reptile.
With a continual focus on rehabilitation works every year Bibra Lake is quickly becoming a hotspot for native flora and fauna.
Banksia Eucalypt Woodland ReserveThe Banksia Eucalypt Woodland Reserve is situated in the suburb of Aubin Grove and is a Bush Forever site and part of the Jandakot Regional Park. This large reserve is biologically diverse and contains a variety of native flora and fauna.
Banksia Eucalypt Woodland Reserve is enjoyed by wildflower enthusiasts during spring when an amazing array of native wildflowers is on show. The reserve also has walking and cycling paths.
Fire management - Following the devastating fire January 2021, the City will be conducting surveys of the site to assess damage and make a plan for weed control, and future revegetation if required.
Weed management – Banksia Eucalypt is undergoing extensive weed control of species that pose a risk to the health of the reserve. Typha orientalis is currently being targeted because of its aggressively invasive behaviour that can transform wetland ecosystems unless actively managed. The management plan is to actively control the Typha while still maintaining habitat vegetation until the native sedges, (Baumea articulata and Baumea juncea), can begin to restore and replace the area naturally.
Manning ParkManning Park is one of the City’s most popular conservation reserves and is located close to the coast. The area is part of the Beeliar Regional Park and is a Bush Forever site. This reserve includes the limestone ridge to the west, which is home to the
Manning Stairs and Lookouts.
Manning Park flora ranges from wetland dependent vegetation such as SwampPaperbark
(Melaleuca rhapiophylla), to upland vegetation such as the Chenille Honey Myrtle
(Melaleuca huegelii) and Parrot bush
(Dryandra sessilis).
Revegetation – There are a number of revegetation projects planned for Manning Park over the next three years. The South-east area of Manning Park has undergone three revegetation projects over the past two years with great success and from 2021 revegetation projects will continue further west into the reserve from Gorham way. Next year 15 Large Tuart trees will be planted in degraded areas of the reserve which will provide great habitat, canopy cover, and food for birds including, cockatoos, owls and honey eaters.
Yangebup and Little Rush Lake Reserves are located in the suburb of Yangebup and are part of the Beeliar Regional Park. The reserves are easily accessible and have walking and cycling trails and playgrounds.
The reserves are home to significant fauna such as bandicoots, possums, frogs, turtles, reptiles and a wide variety of bird species.
Trial nutrient stripping basins have been established on the eastern side of Yangebup Lake to help improve water quality and reduce midge and algal blooms. The basins provide habitat for frogs and birds with hopes for the water quality of the lake to be improved over time.
Weed management – Over the course of the last five years Little Rush Lake has undergone extensive management of an aquatic weed called Amazon Frogbit, (Limnobium laevigatum). In 2016 Amazon Frogbit covered two thirds of the lakes surface but thanks to efforts from SERCUL, Conservation Volunteers Australia and the City of Cockburn, the infestation has been drastically reduced and now only requires monthly perimeter inspections.
Market Garden Park and Boodjar Mooliny ReservesMarket Garden Park, Bindjar Reserve and Boodjar Mooliny Reserve are made up of three adjoining wetlands, and are located in the suburbs of Spearwood and Munster. These wetlands are important community conservation and passive recreation areas and are part of the Beeliar Regional Park.
The wetland system is home to animals such as the Long-necked turtle, Southern brown bandicoot and the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo.
Conservation efforts are being made to ensure these wetlands are not harmed by invasive weed species that can change the wetlands ecosystem, displace native vegetation and remove vital habitat from the area.
Denis de Young ReserveDenis de Young Reserve is an 84 hectare conservation reserve in Banjup. It contains remnant Banksia Woodland and Melaleuca Paperbark dampland communities. It is a Bush Forever site and is part of the Jandakot Regional Park. The Reserve has over 300 species of plants, including many rare types, and provides refuge and habitat for over 150 animal species. Fauna species include Southern Brown Bandicoots, Grey Kangaroo, New Holland Honeyeater, Fairy Wren and the Silvereye.
Denis de Young offers a variety of recreational uses such as walking, bird watching and wildflower spotting.
Redemptora ReserveRedemptora Reserve is a small (less than four hectare) reserve situated on a rise near the coast on Redemptora Road in Henderson. Despite being surrounded by ship-building industries, the views are spectacular from this reserve. The reserve is a good example of the low coastal heath that once dominated this area. This small remnant is important as it still supplies habitat for an range of wildlife including Southern Brown Bandicoots, and numerous birds and reptiles.
Protect our conservation reserves and wetlands
Together, we can reduce negative impacts on the bushland and protect them for current and future generations.
Off-road vehicles and trail bikes in conservation reservesIf you see 4 x 4 vehicles or trail bikes in the reserve, you can help by recording the date, time, vehicle description, licence or address of the offending driver and
notify the City’s Rangers. Trail bike and four-wheel drive vehicles are not permitted off-road in the City’s conservation reserves.
Dogs must be on leads at all times in conservation reserves and around wetland areas. Please see information on dog off-lead exercise areas in Cockburn.
Litter in conservation reservesIf you witness rubbish dumping you can help by recording the date, time, vehicle description and licence, or the address of the person and notify the Rangers Department. Rubbish dumping can damage native vegetation, injure wildlife and spread weeds. Learn more about how you can stop
litter and Illegal Dumping.
Help prevent fires by disposing cigarette butts appropriately. In the past 6 years over a dozen fires have started in Cockburn because of cigarettes. Refer to the City’s
fire and emergency management for further information at fire related topics, or read about how the City is
mitigating fire risk in our conservation reserves.
The Wetlands Centre, Cockburn and WA Wildlife (formerly Native ARC) are not-for-profit conservation and wildlife groups in Cockburn. They are located next to each other on Hope Road in Bibra Lake.
The Wetlands Centre, Cockburn is a not-for-profit community organisation that is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands, environmental education, training, and youth services. Volunteers are welcome Thursday and Friday.
WA Wildlife is a not-for-profit organisation that provides help for sick and injured wildlife. The organisation also provides information and education to the community on the importance of biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Volunteers are needed 7 days a week.
Do you want to have fun, meet like-minded people and be part of a community group who has a genuine concern for their local environment? Friends-of groups consist of volunteers from the community who help conserve local bush, coastal and wetland areas through a variety of activities such as planting days. Contact us to find out more and register your interest.
Please contact Environmental Services for more information on conservation reserves and wetlands in Cockburn on 08 9411 3444 or at [email protected].