Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Pioneer Park gets an about face
The town centre of Gosnells, on the southern fringe of the Perth metropolitan area, once had its back to the Canning River - its life source - but it now faces the water and embraces its natural heritage.
What started out as a town centre revitalisation has turned into a transformation of Pioneer Park, the one-kilometre reach of the Canning River in the town centre - the original reason why Gosnells was settled there.
"Through replanting, river restoration work and a partnership with the City of Gosnells we've achieved a high profile site - people are saying the river looks fantastic to visit and walk along," said Cam Clay, Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group Chair. "It's drawing the community's attention back.
"Today, all new development faces the river and Gosnells has restored the Canning River as the heart of its town centre."
Funding
The project was supported with more than $13,000 from the Australian Government.
Activities and achievements
Almost 200 volunteers helped stabilise the foreshore and adjacent floodplain by planting over 7,000 understorey and overstorey plants over two National Tree Days. The work has also provided additional habitat for native animals such as the Brushtail Possum, Southern Brown Bandicoot and Native Water Rat.
"With the help of community volunteers, the City of Gosnells and local sponsors Prosser Toyota, we're restoring riverbank plants," said Cam.
"The dominant overstorey of Flooded Gum is suffering serious stress, so we're planting significant numbers of these grand trees and have replaced the Swamp Paperbark.
"We're also dealing with the historical clearing of understorey through grazing and land use, restoring important plants such as Paperbark and sedges.
Achievements
Locals can't help but notice the difference because now the town has turned around, the river holds court. What's more, the newly regenerated site is clearly visible from the Albany Highway traffic bridge. Cam said the feedback from the community was "wow".
"We didn't anticipate that, but because people see it every day and the road is very busy they can't miss it," he said. "People say it looks great and it complements the revitalised town centre."
More information
- Wayne van Lieven: (08) 9391 6030 or wvanlieven@gosnells.wa.gov.au
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