Environmental management

Revegetation is important for enhancing the degraded bushland, the City undertakes revegetation projects to: 

• increase understory and canopy coverage of bushland 
• establish habitat for a range of native fauna species 
• increase bushland connectivity and reduce habitat fragmentation
• improve water quality and reduce erosion around our wetlands and rivers.

Various revegetation projects are undertaken with the assistance of our Environmental Volunteer Groups, local schools, and in collaboration with the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL).

If you are interested in revegetation or a planting day, you can contact the City on 1300 422 664 to discuss possible volunteering opportunities or visit our community group page.

Environmental weeds are plants introduced to areas of native vegetation, resulting in modification and damage to the natural area.

Weeds are a serious threat to native plants and animals within Canning. They compete with native plants for water, light and nutrients. They can also change the structural diversity of plant communities, which results in unfavourable habitats for native wildlife, and can lead to a higher fire risk. Environmental weeds are often introduced into our bushlands from agriculture, aquariums, and gardens. 

The City’s Natural Areas team works with contractors and our local environmental volunteer groups to control weeds through various methods including:

• herbicide application
• hand weeding
• brush cutting/slashing
• revegetation.

You can prevent the spread of weeds in our natural areas by:

• using native plants in your garden
• controlling weeds on your property
• ensuring the appropriate dispose of green waste.

For more information you can visit the following:

• Are Your Garden Plants Going Bush?
• Weeds in the Wild

The City undertakes a seed collection program to develop its stock of local provenance seed. These seeds can be used for both direct seeding and the growing of seedlings for future revegetation projects.

The seeds collected are propagated with the help of specialised native nurseries and local volunteer groups. They are then planted in locations like those where the species was collected.

The City’s Natural Area Team (and some of our Environmental Volunteer Groups) hold a Scientific or Other Prescribed Purposes licence for the collection of native seeds.

Please visit the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to find out more about flora licences.

The City helps to manage and treat various introduced and naturally occurring diseases in its natural areas. This is achieved by implementing various management practices to control the impacts of these diseases.

Phytophthora Dieback

Phytophthora dieback is a plant disease that attacks the root systems of susceptible plants, reducing their ability to take up water and nutrients causing them to die.

In Western Australia the most common form of Phytopthora dieback is Phytophthora cinnamomic. It is commonly spread through the transference of wet soil on shoes, vehicles and equipment.

There are many native plants that are susceptible to dieback including but not limited to jarrah, banksias, grasstrees and zamia palms. Dieback can also affect a range of garden plants and horticultural crops.

The City manages Phytophthora Dieback by treating infected areas with phosphite and also prevents the spread of dieback by ensuring:

• staff and contractors follow hygiene protocols for boots, equipment and vehicles
• appropriate disposal of weeds
• the use of NIASA accredited suppliers for revegetation and projects.

Here are some actions you can take to prevent the spread:

• Adhere to the instructions on ‘Dieback Protection Area’ signage and keep to designated tracks.

• Ensure your footwear is free of soil and mud when entering and leaving bushlands and utilising boot cleaning stations when available.

• Avoiding areas dieback infested areas during wet and muddy conditions if possible.

Visit the Dieback Working Group website to learn more.

Marri Canker Disease, Quambalaria Shoot Blight, and PSHB

There are a variety of other diseases the City monitors and treats across the municipality such as Marri Canker, Quambalaria and more recently Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer.

The City monitors its urban forest and bushland for signs of stress and symptoms of disease.

The City records, treats where possible, and reports incidences of these diseases and participates in treatment trials where possible. For more information visit the DPIRD website.

The City undertakes fire mitigation strategies and works with stakeholders, including the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, to reduce the risk of fire to property close to natural areas.

The City’s Natural Areas team helps to manage bushfire risk by:

• maintaining firebreaks in City managed reserves
• pruning vegetation
• controlling environmental weeds.

Fire management plans have also been prepared for several of the City’s larger natural areas.