Environmental Initiatives

State of the Environment Report

In 2006, Council adopted the City of Armadale State of the Environment Report 2005 (PDF 80Kb). This report identifies the state of the environment in the City and sets a five-year direction for environmental management programs.

The following two reports also contain useful resource information about the state of the environment in Armadale. The City of Armadale Indicators Report provides information about the state of biodiversity, air quality, river health, wetlands and other environmental issues. The City of Armadale State of the Environment Report 2000 is also a useful resource as it contains more detailed information that was not reproduced, rather referred to in the State of the Environment Report 2000.

• City of Armadale Indicators Report (PDF 623Kb)
• State of the Environment Report 2000 (PDF 435Kb)

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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 3.8MB)
• Bungendore Park Strategic Directions Document (PDF 5.00MB)
• Forrestfield Complex Bushland Management Plan (PDF 66kB) - currently being reviewed
• Fletcher Park Bushland Management Plan (PDF 699kB)
• Lloyd Hughes Bushland Management Plan (PDF 329kB) - currently being reviewed
• Neerigen Brook Reserve Management Plan (PDF 4.37MB)

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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 292kB) 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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