Published on Wednesday, 22 January 2025 at 11:06:39 AM
Town of Bassendean Secures Nearly $2 Million for Ashfield Flats Master Plan Implementation
The Town of Bassendean has been successful in receiving a grant of $1,999,392 from the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program to implement key components of the Ashfield Flats Master Plan. The funding will be accompanied by administration support from the Town, community volunteer support from the Bassendean Preservation Group (BPG) and staff from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). This underscores the Town and community’s commitment to safeguarding its environmental heritage.
The Ashfield Flats Master Plan project will be implemented in partnership with DBCA and BPG and is aimed at conserving, protecting, and sustainably managing the Ashfield Flats – a critical area of ecological and cultural significance.
The Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program is supporting the conservation of natural resources and urban green spaces through restoration and habitat improvement. The program’s goals include the restoration of riparian areas, water quality enhancement, protection of threatened ecological community and increasing community access to nature, which contributes to public health and mitigates climate change impacts.
This funding will allow the Town of Bassendean and its partners to carry out vital work between 2025 and 2028, including:
• Installing fencing to protect the Threatened Ecological Community, particularly saltmarsh species, from uncontrolled access.
• Weed control measures across 40 hectares of land to support native species and improve habitat quality.
• An integrated monitoring program to track flora changes, evaluate weed control efforts, and monitor soil and water quality.
• Riparian (foreshore) remediation from the east end of the Chapman Street Drain Boardwalk, extending to the private property boundary north of Sandy Beach Reserve.
• New limestone path installation between the Chapman Street Drain Boardwalk and Sandy Beach Reserve, ensuring accessibility while preserving the natural environment.
The Ashfield Flats Master Plan project will enhance the ecological value of Ashfield Flats, preserving this unique natural space. The Town will continue to work with stakeholders in delivery of the project.
Mayor of the Town of Bassendean, Cr Kathryn Hamilton, welcomed the funding, highlighting the importance of protecting highly valued natural assets. "This funding enables the Town of Bassendean to continue and expand on a program of works to protect and restore Ashfield Flats for generations to come. The Town is committed to supporting the preservation of our unique natural spaces, and this project reflects the power of collaboration between local, state, and federal governments and community groups to safeguard precious environmental assets. Ashfield Flats is the largest remaining river-flat wetlands in the Perth metropolitan area, on the flood plain of the Swan River. This funding is a significant milestone in addressing the environmental challenges to this Bush Forever Site and the Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) via weed management through to habitat restoration.”
Tania Lawrence, Member for Hasluck, said: “the grant is further proof of the social and environmental efficacy of the Albanese Government’s Nature Positive approach.”
For more information on the Ashfield Flats Master Plan and its objectives, please visit Ashfield Flats Master Plan | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
For further updates as the project progresses, please visit the Environmental Projects and Living Streams webpage.
This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, with the support of the Town of Bassendean, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Bassendean Preservation Group.
Back to All News