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FACT SHEET: FRIENDS of LIGHTNING SWAMP BUSHLAND
WHO WE ARE
People from all walks of
life who are interested in the protection of this wonderful area of bushland.
Most of our volunteers live in Noranda and Morley, but anyone from anywhere is
welcome to join. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help. It
costs nothing, and the rewards are priceless!
WHAT WE DO
The Friends are involved in
many activities to help preserve Lightning Swamp including:
* regular work days in the
bushland
* nature walks, bird
atlasing, fauna & flora surveys
* lobbying the City of
Bayswater on behalf of the community
* sitting on environmental
committees & working groups
* the development of
management & implementation plans
* regular monitoring of the
area for illegal activity.
We hold regular monthly
meetings and activities. Phone, e-mail, or visit our website for an Activity
Calender.
HOW YOU CAN JOIN
Simple...just get in touch
through this website, or via the contact details on this fact sheet.
Write to:
F.O.L.S.B.
C/- City of
Bayswater
61 Broun Avenue
Morley WA 6062
AUSTRALIA
Telephone
(Perth, Australia):
9276 5454
9275 7338
9276 7666
Fax:
9276 5454
Email:
lightningswamp@hotmail.com
Website:
http://lightningswamp.freeservers.com
WHERE IS IT?
Lightning Swamp
Bushland is a unique area located in the Perth suburb of Noranda. It is
bordered by the Reid and Tonkin Highways, Malaga Drive and Matthews Close.
Access to the area is currently via Della Road on the south-east, but that may
change as parking facilities are developed.
WHAT IS IT?
Lightning Swamp
Bushland is 70 hectares in size, consisting of a number of seasonal wetlands,
wooded ridgelines and dry flatlands. An open stormwater drain, which forms part
of the Bennett Brook catchment, traverses the area from west to east. In the
east the soil type known as Southern River complex has allowed the formation of
a unique perched wetland.
The bushland
contains over 150 species of native flora as well as an unidentified number of
native animals, and is a Perth Bushland Forever site. The land, owned by the
Ministry for Planning, is currently leased by the City of Bayswater, and has
been reserved for passive recreation and conservation use.
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS?
There are a number of
serious problems facing Lightning Swamp Bushland including:
*
an infestation of Dieback in 2/3rds of the area. Dieback kills about 15 native
plant species, including banksias and Jarrah.
*
illegal entry by off-road vehicles, destroying fences, spreading Dieback,
causing erosion & damaging flora.
*
illegal dumping of household, industrial & garden rubbish.
*
regular arson attacks. Too many fires kills bushland, and increases weed
growth, the major fuel for dangerous fires.
*
destruction of vegetation through vandalism, & the killing of native animals by people and their pets.
*
infestation of the bushland with rabbits & foxes.
*
infestation of weeds caused by dumping, fires & rabbits.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
There has been a
lot happening recently to rectify the problems in Lightning Swamp Bushland. The
City of Bayswater established a Working Group in 2000 which has seen the
development of a management plan, soon to be released for public comment. As
part of this document, an implementation strategy is being developed to address
the current environmental problems.
There are also
plans to increase and improve access to the bushland for the community through
stabilised pathways and gates, as well as a series of public information signs
at points of cultural, historical and environmental significance.
Meanwhile the
Friends of Lightning Swamp Bushland were formed in October 2000, and have been
busy working with the City and other organisations in tackling the situation.
The area has been cleaned up, fences have been monitored and fixed, signs have
been erected, and surveys of the fauna and flora have begun. Already the damage
to this important area has been reduced significantly because people care.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
v Help monitor the area as part of the Neighbourhood Watch program, and report any illegal activity.
v
Do not dump garden or grass clipping in the bushland.
v
Please keep cats inside at night.
v
Try and keep to the pathways as much as possible in the bush.
v
Report injured wildlife to the Malaga Rehabilitation Centre.
v Please teach your children to respect this
bushland area.
v
Get involved by JOINING THE FRIENDS!!!
v
Enjoy Lightning Swamp Bushland...it is a special place.
ING SWAMP BUSHLAND
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Fire & Emergency
000
Non-emergercy Police
Attendence
9222 1111
City of Bayswater
9272 0622
City of Bayswater Rangers
9272
0972
City of Bayswater Security
1300 360 333
Bennett Brook Catchment
Group
9377 0444
BICM
9271 7922
Malaga Fauna Rehabilitation
Centre
9249 3434
IMPORTANT
COMM
Produced by
Friends of Lightning Swamp
Bushland
2001
UI
INFORTION
The
production of this community information website and fact sheets
was made possible by a Community
Conservation Grant from the
WA
Department of the Environment.
Their
assistance is gratefully acknowledged.