Wildlife Enhancement Plan 2014 – 2019 www.subiaco.wa.gov.au Goal statement The Wildlife Enhancement Plan 2014–2019 aims to support increased biodiversity and the conservation of native fauna and fauna habitat within the local environment. Acknowledgements The city would like to thank Danielle Bowler from the City of Joondalup, Tamara Kabat from Bird Life Australia, Mathew Swan from the Department of Parks and Wildlife and Jake Tanner from the City of Fremantle for assisting with the development of this plan. The City of Subiaco is committed to protecting the global environment through local action. By printing this publication on Australian made 100 per cent recycled paper, the city aims to conserve the resources of the city. The document is available via the Internet at www.subiaco.wa.gov.au TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of contents Executive summary 4 Key definitions 5 Introduction 6 Wildlife conservation and enhancement 7 Parks, reserves and street trees 7 Wetlands 7 Greenways and remnant bushland areas 8 Aboriginal cultural significance 8 Community education 8 Management of identified risks 10 Climate change 10 Feral animals 10 Domestic animals 10 Plant pathogens 10 Resources and useful links 11 References 12 Appendix A: Fauna list 13 Photo courtesy of Margaret Owen CITY OF SUBIACO 2014 –2019 WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT PLAN | 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive summary The Wildlife Enhancement Plan 2014–2019 aims to support increased biodiversity and the conservation of native fauna and fauna habitat within the city’s local environment. The plan includes actions to enhance wildlife conservation, as well as provide education and participation opportunities for the community. This plan is an action required under the city’s Environment Enhancement Plan 2012–2016, and is informed by the Strategic Community Plan and Corporate Business Plan. The major opportunities within the city for wildlife conservation and enhancement exist within the urban forest, which includes the city’s extensive network of street trees, parks and reserves, green corridors, private gardens, wetlands and remnant bushland. The urban forest also provides regional linkages with more substantial habitat areas in the surrounding western suburbs, such as Kings Park and Bold Park. The key risks to native fauna and fauna habitat in the city identified in this plan include climate change, feral and domestic animals, and plant pathogens. Each of these risks has been described and management actions proposed to minimise their impact. Recommended management actions: Ref Actions 2014–15 2015–16 2016 –17 2017–18 Develop a management process for retaining senescent habitat 1 trees in public open space. Where retention is not suitable, retain tree hollows and logs for re-use within the city’s natural areas Continue best practice management and enhancement of the 2 urban forest including the increase of canopy cover Conserve existing and develop new areas of fauna habitat within 3 parks and reserves Provide constructed habitat features such as nest boxes and insect 4 hotels and monitor use 5 Develop processes for dealing with sick or injured wildlife Develop education programs and signage on appropriate 6 interactions with wildlife 7 Improve wildlife crossing signage at known high-risk locations 8 Manage invasive weeds and algal blooms in wetland areas Improve the habitat quality of wetlands by at source management 9 of nutrients and pollutants, and litter removal 10 Develop and improve connectivity of regional and local greenways Continue to implemement the JH Abrahams Bushland Management 11 Plan 2012–2016 Provide cultural interpretive wildlife signage and artwork at 12 appropriate locations Provide information on the city’s website on issues related to local 13 wildlife, including management practices and contact organisations Continue to partner with universities and offer student scholarships 14 for native fauna research projects Work with local community groups, businesses, residents and 15 schools on fauna habitat enhancement projects where possible 4 | CITY OF SUBIACO 2014–2019 WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY DEFINITIONS Ref Actions 2014–15 2015–16 2016 –17 2017–18 Develop education materials and work with developers to aid in the 16 uptake of native fauna habitat features for new developments and existing private property Coordinate implementation of initiatives with government and non- 17 government wildlife organisations, and surrounding landholders, where necessary to strengthen the delivery of actions outlined in this plan Enhance available habitat through the creation of innovative areas 18 of green open space such as vertical gardens and green roof tops where viable and practicable Continue implementation of the city’s Local Climate Change 19 Adaptation Action Plan 2013–2017 Support the WESROC feral species management program including 20 promotion of the feral animal sighting form and associated register Review ‘dog off leash’ classification of parks and reserves and 21 determine whether amendments are required to protect native fauna Improve signage and management of ‘dog off leash’ areas to 22 protect native fauna Implement the Cat Act 2011 to better manage the impact of cats 23 on the natural environment Develop and implement the city’s Plant Pathogen Management Plan 24 to prevent further loss of fauna habitat Key definitions Biodiversity (biological diversity): Life and its processes, including the variety of living organisms, genetic differences among them, and the communities and ecosystems in which they occur. Fauna: The animals of a region or area considered as a whole, including domestic animals. Feral animal: Non-native fauna that has been released into the wild or escaped domestication and established a self-sustaining population that cannot be easily controlled. Habitat: The natural or constructed home or environment of an animal or plant. Native fauna: The native animals of a region or area considered as a whole. Plant pathogen: Organisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes that cause plant diseases. Urban forest: The trees and shrubs on all public and private land in urban areas, including street trees, parks and reserves, green corridors, wetlands and remnant bushland. Wildlife: Wild animals collectively; the native fauna of a region. Photo courtesy of Margaret Owen CITY OF SUBIACO 2014 –2019 WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT PLAN | 5 INTRODUCTION Introduction The City of Subiaco (they city) is home to a variety of terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) fauna including native species that are listed as endangered or vulnerable to extinction. Preserving a diversity of native fauna is essential to ensure healthy ecosystem function and maintain a region’s biodiversity. Prior to European settlement the city consisted primarily of Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) and Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest interspersed with Banksia woodland and wetland habitats, however, today no significant natural areas remain within the city. Fauna habitat within the city is provided by the urban forest, which includes street trees, parks, green corridors, private gardens, two wetlands and two fragments of remnant bushland. Fauna in Subiaco is supported regionally by significant areas of bushland in the surrounding western suburbs, including Bold Park, Kings Park and Swanbourne Bushland. The city’s Lake Mabel Talbot and Lake Jualbup are part of a continuous chain of remaining wetland habitats in the region that include Lake Monger, Perry Lakes, Lake Claremont and the Swan River foreshore. The urban forest supports a diverse range of wildlife. Terrestrial fauna include the brushtail possum, as well as less common species such as the carnaby’s cockatoo, forest red-tailed black cockatoo and micro bats. The bushland areas are also home to feral species including foxes and rabbits which threaten native fauna and their habitat. The city’s wetlands and riverine areas are used by migratory birds such as rainbow bee eaters and red-necked stints on a seasonal basis. The city has a role to play to ensure that local habitat areas are closely linked, accessible and capable of supporting native fauna associated with the region. The Wildlife Enhancement Plan 2014–2019 aims to support increased biodiversity and the conservation of native fauna and fauna habitat within the city. The plan outlines actions to enhance wildlife conservation, as well as provide education and participation opportunities for the community. Actions are supported by a number of specific projects detailed in an internal operations document and implemented through departmental annual business plans. Progress of actions outlined in this plan will be reviewed on a six monthly basis and reported to the city’s executive leadership team. The city’s target is to achieve 80 per cent or more of the actions scheduled in each financial year. Highlights of achievements will be included in the City of Subiaco’s Annual Report. The plan will be reviewed and revised as necessary at the end of the four-year implementation period. 6 | CITY OF SUBIACO 2014–2019 WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT PLAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT Wildlife conservation and enhancement Parks, reserves and street trees The city manages over 78 hectares of public parks, gardens and reserves, and approximately 15,000 trees. This provides a significant volume of habitat suitable for native fauna. Many fauna species have adapted to the urban environment and are known to reside, feed