Fifteen years of nature conservation in Town of Claremont, has restored Lake Claremont, previously fringed by a rubbish tip and long-hole golf course, bringing new wildlife to the urban wetlands.
Perth’s inner western suburbs Town of Claremont Council, in partnership with the Friends of Lake Claremont (FOLC) community-based volunteer organisation, have restored the local vegetation to now classify Lake Claremont as a Conservation Category Wetland and Bush Forever site, covering approximately 70 hectares of urban space.
Thanks to the FOLC’s volunteering program over 300,000 native seedlings have been planted and more than $500,000 in grants have been contributed to assist in the conservation and enhancement of the Lake.
Using native plants has helped to provide a great habitat for local birds and other animals.
Over the last five years bird numbers have doubled with more than 650 birds from more than 35 species being recorded in Spring 2017. The number of species visiting the lake has also increased from 82 to 101 over the last five years.
These thriving wetlands are now a hotspot for native wildlife with rare species spotted over recent years. This includes the Glossy Ibis, the Australian Little Bittern and the Western Spinebills which are rare in the metropolitan area.
The positive working relationship between the Town and the FOLC has meant the Lake Claremont area will continue to flourish well into the future with ultimate goal of becoming a healthy wetland and bushland which will maintain itself.
