The City of Melville has commenced works on the ecologically significant Point Waylen in Attadale, with foreshore restoration and enhancement works now underway.
To mark the start of works for the Point Waylen Revitalisation Project, the City hosted a turning of the sod event on Friday, 10 July, with Member for Tangney Sam Lim, Member for Bicton Lisa O’Malley, Elected Members and staff, and representatives from project partners the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, as well as Melville Bird Sanctuary and SERAG members in attendance.
The City has received $850,000 grant funding from the Australian Government through the Local Environmental Projects Program and $145,000 grant funding from the Western Australian Government’s Small-Scale Election Commitment Program towards the $1.2 million project.
Point Waylen and the surrounding Melville Bird Sanctuary are home to more than 131 bird species, including the critically endangered and internationally protected Eastern Curlew, highlighting the ecological significance of the area.
The project forms part of the City’s ongoing commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment, ecosystems and biodiversity.
Identified as a key action in the City’s Attadale Alfred Cove Foreshore Masterplan, the project will include the revegetation of more than 1.4 hectares with a diverse range of native species, helping to improve habitat value, strengthen foreshore resilience and respond to the increasing pressures of climate change, urbanisation and foreshore degradation.
The project will also include the construction of a bird-viewing area near the northern foreshore, providing the community with a place to view local birdlife, the estuary and the Perth city skyline.
A new open, multi-purpose community gathering area will also be created, along with a combination of sealed and informal pathways to improve access and help the community move through the area.
Interpretive signage will be installed to share cultural and environmental knowledge, helping visitors better understand and appreciate the importance of Point Waylen and the surrounding foreshore.
The project is due to be completed by October 2027.
For more information about the project, visit https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/about-our-city/projects-and-works/point-waylen-revitalisation-project
On Sunday 26 July, the City and Planet Ark will host the Point Waylen Community Planting Day as part of National Tree Day and our ongoing Point Waylen Foreshore Restoration Program.
The morning will also feature guided birdwatching walks from the Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary, refreshments and a community BBQ, providing a great opportunity for residents to get to know their neighbours, connect with nature and help restore this important foreshore area.
For more information, visit https://nationaltreeday.org.au/site/10031764
Attribute the following comments to City of Melville Deputy Mayor Matthew Woodall:
“It’s fantastic to see the Point Waylen Revitalisation Project get underway, with works now commencing to restore important habitat, improve foreshore resilience and strengthen the community’s connection to the river and the Melville Bird Sanctuary.
“The City is grateful to the Australian Government’s $850,000 grant funding through the Local Environmental Projects Program and the Western Australian Government’s $145,000 grant funding through the Small-Scale Election Commitment Program from Member for Bicton Lisa O’Malley towards this $1.2 million project.
“I would also like to acknowledge our partners, the managers of the Alfred Cove Nature Reserve and Swan Estuary Marine Park, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, who are also working on this project.
“Point Waylen and the surrounding Melville Bird Sanctuary are ecologically significant, with more than 131 bird species recorded in the area, including the critically endangered Eastern Curlew.
“This project will protect and enhance an important natural area while also creating opportunities for the community to connect with nature through improved access, bird-viewing opportunities, interpretive signage and community gathering spaces.”
Attribute the following comments to Federal Member for Tangney, Sam Lim:
“I’m delighted that work is beginning on the rehabilitation and restoration of the Point Waylen foreshore in Tangney.
“By repairing riverbanks, protecting bird habitat at the Melville Bird Sanctuary and improving the community’s connection to nature and the foreshore, this project supports biodiversity and helps keep the Swan River healthy.
“We borrow the environment from our children and future generations so revegetating and improving the Point Waylen foreshore is of particular importance in our community.”
Image: Uncle Neville Collard, Melville Bird Sanctuary representatives Jenny Christenson and Tom Lubin, SERAG representative Margaret Matassa, Member for Tangney Sam Lim, City of Melville Councillors Karen Wheatland and Glynis Barber, Chief Executive Officer Gail Bowman and Member for Bicton Lisa O’Malley gather to plant a tree to signal the start of works at Point Waylen.