A collaborative integrated management approach at Yellagonga Regional Park
Claire Bartron, City of Joondalup
Tristan Bruyn, City of Wanneroo
Yellagonga Regional Park is a 1,400ha area of high conservation significance located on the boundary between the Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo. The Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo have worked together since 2009 to implement the Yellagonga Integrated Catchment Management (YICM) Plan which aims to provide a holistic and long-term strategic approach to improve catchment health and protect the diverse values of the Park.
The Local Biodiversity Project has been implemented under the YICM Plan since 2015 in partnership between the two Cities and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). The Project aims to improve biodiversity values through conducting revegetation and reducing the incidence of weeds, in collaboration with the community. Initial project works included baseline flora and vegetation condition surveys across 278ha of the Park to inform strategic revegetation and weed control works.
Recent revegetation works included collaborative planting days between the Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo, DBCA, Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park and Woodvale Waters Friends of Beenyup Channel Group and community members. 3,800 seedlings were planted in degraded areas. The revegetation works will enhance biodiversity, provide essential habitat for native fauna and aid in the reduction of runoff, therefore improving water quality in the adjacent lake.
Project weed control works compliment those undertaken by the DBCA through their operational activities. Previously weed control targeted multiple species, however it wasn’t very effective in reducing or eradicating the weed. The new approach will target specific weed species that have been spreading throughout the Park, with a view to undertake control on an annual basis to achieve eradication.
The Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo and DBCA will continue to work collaboratively with community groups to conserve and enhance the biodiversity values of Yellagonga Regional Park.