LAKE MONGER RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2018 Prepared by: Ecoscape (Australia) Pty Ltd CONTENTS Plan Overview 1 Social, Cultural and Environmental Significance 2 Legislative Requirements 2 Regional Context 4 Biodiversity 4 Social Environment 5 Guiding Principles 6 Plan Works Lake and Stormwater 7 Fauna Habitat 8 Ecological Restoration 9 Trees and Turf 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Risk Management 11 The Town of Cambridge would like to thank the following for Visitation and Recreation 12 the contributions to the development of the Lake Monger Planning and Community Liaison 13 Reserve Management Plan. Information, Interpretation and Education 14 – Lake Monger Working Group Members: • Cr Corinne MacRae (Chairperson) Cultural Heritage 15 • Cr David Berry • Pamela Van Der Meulen (Wembley West Leederville Conclusion 16 Residents Association) • Simon Crowford (Wembley West Leederville Residents Implementation Program 17 Association) References 21 • Lyn Manuel (Malubillai Wildlife Carers) • Town of Cambridge administration staff Overview of Proposed Works (Map) 22 Appendix 1 Summary of Community Consultation 24 – Cambridge Library staff. – Rory O’Connor (Anthropologist). Appendix 2 Summary of Aboriginal Consultation 27 – Local community and visitors to the reserve. – Aboriginal people with traditional and cultural Appendix 3 Background/Benefits to Onground Work 31 responsibility for the lake and environs. Appendix 4 Public Comment Summary 35 PLAN OVERVIEW Lake Monger Reserve is a conservation wetland and an important habitat and permanent drought refuge for a range of fauna. it is a regionally significant recreation reserve and is registered as an Aboriginal heritage site of historic and mythological significance. The Lake Monger Management Plan 1993-1998 Part 1 - Background and Part 2 - Plan for Management were written and released in November 1992 by the City of Perth. In accordance with the recommendations made in these reports and the Lake Monger Rehabilitation Plan 1995 the Town of Cambridge has undertaken numerous works involving the rehabilitation of the lake and upgrading of lake facilities. Revision of these management plans along with other council documents, community consultation and Aboriginal Heritage consultation has resulted in this Lake Monger Reserve Management Plan 2008-2018. The plan identifies the remaining works from previous plans as well as highlighting major initiatives to be undertaken over the next ten years. The plan was prepared after extensive consultation with users, nearby residents, the broader community and indigenous people for whom the reserve is culturally significant, see appendix one and two. Initiatives will be undertaken in accordance with the principles embodied in the Town’s vision for the reserve. The vision: “For Lake Monger Reserve to be recognised as a Conservation Wetland and a significant recreational facility enjoyed and managed with the community.” The long-term goal: “To establish an ecologically sustainable system within Lake Monger Reserve, ensuring its long term viability; and to continue the Reserve’s positive contribution to the quality of life of those who live in and are visitors to the area. Progress over the past ten years, objectives, strategies and priorities for the next ten years are identified under the following management categories; • Lake and Stormwater • Fauna Habitat • Ecological Restoration • Trees and Turf • Risk Management • Visitation and Recreation • Planning and Community Liaison • Information, Interpretation and Education • Cultural Heritage Community involvement including Aboriginal Heritage consultation played a key role in preparation of the plan and will be a significant factor in its implemenation. Refer to the map on page 22 for an overview of proposed works for Lake Monger Reserve from 2008-2018. Paddling swan among the weeping willows *Note: the plan only includes recommendations for onground works 1 SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE Lake Monger Reserve is located approximately 3.6km from the City of Perth within the suburb of Wembley and is managed by the Town of Cambridge. It consists of a lake (71ha) and is surrounded by a mixture of open parkland and scattered trees on the north, south and west sides and thickets of rehabilitated native vegetation on the east side (38ha). Despite the reserve’s modified state, the lake is still an important habitat and permanent drought refuge for a range of fauna, in particular the birdlife. The number and variety of waterbirds found at Lake Monger Reserve is one of its greatest attractions, particularly its usage by the black swan, whose numbers can reach the hundreds. It is also a regionally significant recreation reserve and is registered as an Aboriginal Heritage site of historic and mythological significance. Children punting and canoeing on Lake Monger, 1914 (courtesy of Battye Library-BA 1104/12, 000474D) LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS The Town of Cambridge as the managing Authority must comply with all relevant legislation applicable to Lake Monger Reserve. Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Lakes) Policy 1992 Lake Monger Reserve is a Conservation Category wetland and is protected under the Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Lakes) Policy 1992 (the Lakes EPP) which provides statutory protection for the Swan Coastal Plain Lakes from filling, draining, mining and effluent discharge. The wooded shores of Lake Monger, 1914 (courtesy of Battye Library-BA 1104/15, 000477D) Lake Monger Reserve has a dual history, both Aboriginal and European. Before European settlement the lake and its surrounds were an Aboriginal camping and hunting ground, important for its food resources and mythological significance. After the Europeans arrived the area was greatly modified and valued more for its recreational and aesthetic qualities. The indigenous people of the area called Lake Monger, Lake Galup. After European settlement, it became known as either Large Lake or Triangle Lake (based on its roughly triangular shape) before being named Monger’s Lake in 1831. In April 1932 it was changed to its current name of Lake Monger. Community involvement and opinion have been identified as priorities for this plan due to the popularity and usage of the Viewing platform at the northern end of Lake Monger Reserve Reserve by the public. Planning needs to be flexible to best manage unforseen events and to provide interim solutions while longer-term plans are being developed. Resources will be allocated to the highest priority activities. 2 Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 A total of four significant Aboriginal Heritage sites are recorded with the Department of Indigenous Affairs on Lake Monger Reserve (site IDs; 3160, 3318, 3323, 3788) (Department of Indigenous Affairs 2008) and is therefore under the protection of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, which protects all Aboriginal sites in Western Australia. Being a registered site under this Act means that any development on the Reserve and the lake that may disturb the site, must be referred to the Department of Indigenous Affairs. Contaminated Sites Act 2003 Due to the historical use of the Reserve as a refuse site possible contamination of the soil and groundwater has become an issue. The Contaminated Sites Act 2003 requires the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to classify sites reported to it and inform the relevant people, such as owners and occupiers. A memorial has Adult swan and her cygnet been registered against Lake Monger Reserve under section 58(b) of the Act, which means subdivision or any proposed development of the land may not be approved without seeking further advice from DEC as to its impact and suitability. Objectives Disability Discrimination Act 1992 • A clean, safe and vibrant environment The Town of Cambridge has a responsibilty to ensure that all • Enhanced natural and built environment facilities and access to facilities within Lake Monger Reserve • Quality public open space and recreational facilities comply with the standards set by the above Act. • Sound and sustainable environmental management • Diversity and compatibility in land use and Environmental Protection Act 1994 development Any proposal that is likely to have a significant impact on the environmental values of Lake Monger is required under section 38 of this act to be referred to the EPA for environmental assessment. Strategies TOWN OF CAMBRIDGE STRATEGIC PLAN • Plan for and maintain a clean, safe and vibrant environment This management plan also aims at adhering to the Town of • Preserve and protect the natural environment, parkland, Cambridge’s policy documents such as the Town’s Strategic remnant bushland, beachfront and built environment Plan 2005-2009 and the objectives and strategies relevant to • Ensure sustainable environmental management natural and built environment. • Develop and maintain effective programs and policies to facilitate environmentally responsible and sustainable management • Identify and implement improvements to streetscape, pedestrian spaces and community facilities • Improve waste management and stormwater management strategies in line with State Government’s management strategies • Provide quality public open space and leisure activities • Develop sustainable water resource management practices Eastern viewing platform and fauna refuge island 3 REGIONAL CONTEXT Lake Monger Reserve is zoned under the Metropolitan Region Scheme and the Town of Cambridge Planning Scheme to be used for the purposes of Parks and Recreation. The Reserve