Environmental Initiatives

State of the Environment Report

In 2011, Council adopted its third State of the Environment Report (City of Armadale State of the Environment Report 2011 (PDF 4.09 MB)). This report identifies the state of environmental assets in the City and sets a five-year direction for environmental management programs.

A more detailed reference document provides supporting information for the State of the Environment Report 2011 and is available upon request.

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Local Biodiversity Strategy

In 2009, Council adopted the City of Armadale Local Biodiversity Strategy (Summary Report) (PDF 3.19 MB). The Local Biodiversity Strategy is designed to identify significant natural areas, and where possible plan for their protection, retention and management within the City.

The broad objectives of the Strategy are to:

1. Consolidate existing protection measures in existing City Strategies, policies and plans;
2. Develop an accurate mapping base and a bushland protection plan for Local Natural Areas (LNAs);
3. Identify objectives, goals, targets and actions for the protection and enhancement of the LNAs in the City;
4. Integrate with current planning and management systems; and
5. Engage stakeholders and the community during preparation and implementation of the Strategy and action plan.

The Local Biodiversity Strategy Complete Report (PDF 2.67 MB) contains more detailed information than contained in the Summary Report.

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Management Plans

The City has prepared a number of management plans for designated natural areas. The aim of these management plans is to provide an organised and consistent approach to environmental management within the City. The folllowing management plans exist:

• Armadale Settlers Common Strategic Directions Document (PDF 3.80 MB)
• Bungendore Park Strategic Directions Document (PDF 5.00 MB)
• Forrestfield Complex Bushland Management Plan (PDF 69.0 MB)
• Fletcher Park Bushland Management Plan (PDF 20.5 MB)
• Lloyd Hughes Bushland Management Plan (PDF 328 KB) - currently being reviewed
• Neerigen Brook Reserve Management Plan (PDF 4.36 MB)
• Wungong River Management Plan (PDF 12.2 MB) 

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Cities for Climate Protection Program

The City of Armadale is a signatory to the Cities for Climate Protection Program. The City has both a Corporate Greenhouse Action Plan for 2009 - 2012 (PDF 291 KB) which covers emissions from the City’s operations, and a Community Greenhouse Action Plan which covers initiatives to assist community members to reduce their emissions. These documents provide a strategic approach for the City to reduce greenhouse emissions from the community and Council operations.

These action plans identify the following goals:

Corporate emissions:

The City will try to reduce Corporate greenhouse gas emissions to achieve reductions of:

• In excess of 6% per capita from 2006/07 levels by 2012
• 20% from 1998-99 levels by 2022
• 60% from 2000 levels by 2050

Community emissions:

• To reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent from 1998/99 levels by the year 2010

For more information about City of Armadale greenhouse initiatives, visit the Switch Your Thinking web site.

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Streamcare Program

The City of Armadale's Streamcare Program assists residents to look after streams on their properties. Landowners from Roleystone, Bedfordale, Karragullen and Forrestdale are involved in the Streamcare Program, taking up opportunities to receive technical advice free of charge.

This advice helps landowners to take care of their waterways, which encourages native fauna back into the region.

To find out more about the Streamcare Program contact the City of Armadale on 9399 0111.

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Cat research

In 2007 PhD student Maggie Lilith completed a three year research project entitled "Do pet cats (Felis catus) have an impact on species richness and abundance of native mammals in low density Western Australian suburbia".  The research included a survey on community views on the acceptability of various cat control measures.  A copy of the PhD can be found at the Murdoch University website at http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20070316.204121

The following extract from the Abstract highlights key findings:

"Vegetation comparisons showed significant differences in the structure and species composition of the vegetation between most sites and the mammal species richness and abundance appeared linked to ground cover density in the various sites. This factor, not cat restrictions, appeared to be the primary determinant of species richness, species persity and absolute numbers of small mammals in these sites.

This study in the City of Armadale has shown that the implementation of proposed cat legislation must have a “whole of ecosystem” approach, i.e. protecting identified remnant bushland containing biopersity from threatening processes such as plant disease and inappropriate fire, especially arson, as well as possible predations from pet cats. Habitat restoration and protection may be more important conservation activities than regulation of cats."

(Lilith, 2007)

Cat control measures are problematic to enforce.

The City has decided to focus its efforts on habitat protection, rather than cat control measures.

Strategic Plan

The City's Strategic Plan recognises the challenge of protecting and enhancing the natural environment and sets the vision for a City boasting vibrant city living alongside areas of natural beauty.

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