City of Melville Council has commenced works on the ecologically significant Point Waylen in Attadale, with foreshore restoration and enhancement works now underway.
The Council hosted a turning of the sod event for the Point Waylen Revitalisation Project on Friday. In attendance were Member for Tangney, Sam Lim; Member for Bicton, Lisa O’Malley; Council members and staff, and representatives from project partners the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, as well as Melville Bird Sanctuary and SERAG members.
The $1.2 million project 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.
“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,” said Deputy Mayor, Matthew Woodall.
“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 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 Council’s ongoing commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment, ecosystems and biodiversity.
“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,” said Cr Woodall.
Identified as a key action in its 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.
The Council says 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.
