The City of Armadale is realigning a section of Balannup Drain prior to the extension of Reilly Road Harrisdale, and will undertake to relocate and protect the iconic native fauna located in this habitat.
The residential development occurring in the Armadale part of the south-east corridor will house an additional 50,000 people over the next 15 years and without remedial measures this will have a significant impact on the native fauna and flora in the area.
The protection of this wetland area is addressed through the development of a Wetland Management Strategy and Plan, ensuring the native habitat and vegetation is enhanced and protected.
Mayor Henry Zelones said to reduce adverse impacts on fauna when the natural habitat is cleared, the City has engaged an environmental organisation, Fauna for the Future, to capture and relocate native fauna from the project area to the Harrisdale Swamp.
“It is important we undertake to relocate the native fauna such as the Oblong Turtle, Bandicoots and various species of reptiles and relocate them to remnant bushland in the area where they can continue to thrive.
“Hollow logs will also be salvaged where possible and relocated to conservation areas as part of the rehabilitation works,” said Mayor Zelones.
The relocation program will commence in mid-September over a two day period and will be overseen by the City’s Bushcare Supervisor. The realignment project will start in January 2015.