The 16.5ha Bush Forever heritage reserve is classified as a major conservation area, contains regionally significant bushland and is one of the City’s top five natural areas because of its high biodiversity values.
“The majority of the native vegetation at Shepherds Bush is in very good or good condition and surveys indicate the area is likely to support 110 native flora species, two native mammals, 29 native birds, seven native reptile species and 33 native invertebrates,” a council document from last Tuesday said.
The draft management plan describes potential environmental impacts, risks and threats that could affect the reserve’s biodiversity, such as weeds, plant diseases, non-native fauna, fire and antisocial behaviour, and proposes management strategies to minimise them.
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READ NOWStrategies to be implemented over the next five years include regular weed and feral animal control, annual fire hazard assessments and monitoring of flora, fauna, weeds, fungi, bat and invertebrate species.
Once finalised and adopted, the plan will be monitored against key performance indicators, enabling the City to prioritise maintenance schedules and guide future development.
The plan also proposes a Friends of Shepherds Bush group be formed, with support from the City, to help care for the bushland.
At the meeting, Cr John Chester urged interested members of the community to contact the City.
“I was involved in attempting to establish a Friends group with other community-minded residents and City staff four year ago but it never eventuated,” he said.
Joondalup councillors endorsed the release of the draft plan for three weeks of community consultation, ending August 15.
View the plan on the community engagement page of the City’s website.
For more information on the Friends group, call 9400 4145.