Talia Gardens, Princeton and Roselea Wetlands Working Group

What is a wetland? 

A wetland is an area where water is present either permanently or seasonally, creating conditions that support water‑dependent plants and animals. Under the Environmental Protection Authority’s 1992 Swan Coastal Plain Lakes Policy, a site must have at least 1,000 m² of water surface area by the first week of summer each year to be considered a lake/wetland under that standard. 

What is wetlands management, in simple terms? 

Wetlands management means looking after wet areas – such as lakes, swamps and marshes – so they stay healthy and continue to: 

• Support wildlife 
• Improve water quality 
• Reduce flood risks 
• Store carbon 
• Provide enjoyable natural spaces for the community.

It combines science, land management and community involvement to ensure wetlands remain productive and sustainable into the future. 

How does the City manage wetlands? 

Wetlands management includes:

• Maintaining healthy water levels and flows
• Caring for water quality
• Reducing pollutants
• Rupporting habitats for birds, frogs, insects and native vegetation
• Managing weeds and invasive species
• Restoring surrounding land and improving stormwater inputs.

These efforts help protect the natural systems that keep wetlands functioning and resilient.

What defines a wetland vs a manmade lake/stormwater basin?

The Department of Biodiversity Conservation & Attractions defines a wetland in WA is as an area permanently, seasonally or intermittently waterlogged or inundated, whether natural or constructed, with water that can be fresh or saline. Wetland types include lakes, sumplands, damplands, palusplains, and more, with classification based on hydrology and landform. Urban stormwater basins can still be wetlands if their hydrology and ecological function meet wetland criteria (e.g., supporting wetland vegetation, wildlife, seasonal waterlogging).

What’s the source and flow of water in these urban lakes, and how might road works affect that?

Many of Stirling’s lakes are constructed wetlands receiving stormwater runoff from surrounding roads and suburbs – consistent with DBCA’s definition that wetlands may be naturally occurring or artificially created and influenced by surface water or groundwater changes. Road upgrades (e.g., Main Roads WA projects) can alter drainage patterns, affecting inflow, sedimentation and nutrient loading. The City addresses these through interagency coordination.

Surface water is primarily influenced by topography. The City has 8 sub-catchments which water is contained within. These are listed below.

How is the City going to protect wetlands and wildlife from further harm?

The City protects wetland wildlife through its broader conservation management framework, the Local Biodiversity Strategy, which prioritises maintaining ecological function, reducing threats and enhancing habitat across wetland reserves. Management plans sit under the City’s Local Biodiversity Strategy, which focuses on preserving areas for protection, addressing key threatening processes, and involving the community in biodiversity outcomes. The City’s conservation management framework addresses key objectives in the City’s Sustainable Stirling 2022–2032 plan by connecting communities with their local areas and supporting biodiversity in both natural and urban environments.

Can we improve habitat (e.g., plantings, buffers) to attract more “beneficial” bird species?

Wetlands can benefit from local native plantings, including vegetation that provides food sources, nesting habitat and shoreline buffering. The City’s Conservation Program is reviewed and updated annually, and reserves are prioritised for upgrades based on a range of factors including biodiversity value, threats present and existing management strategies as determined by the Reserve Condition Assessments. The City undertakes reserve maintenance inspections of all conservation reserves at a minimum of four times per year. This information determines the management actions required, such as weed removal, general maintenance, restoration or conservation infrastructure upgrades. We also take into consideration available budget and resources. Revegetation and habitat enhancing actions are consistent with the City’s conservation principles, which prioritise strengthening local biodiversity to improve ecological condition.

What species do these lakes support and how can that be extended?

Many of Stirling’s constructed and natural wetlands support local native waterbirds, frogs, fish, and aquatic invertebrates, as well as some pest species. Improved species diversity relies on holistic ecosystem focus including expanding native vegetation, managing pest species, and monitor water quality, all of which are enabled through the City’s Local Biodiversity Strategy.

Why hasn’t there been stronger compliance/enforcement, and how will it improve?

It is recognised that as community expectations shift, there are opportunities to amend existing local laws, as is the current situation with fishing, and the City is progressing with this local law amendment which will be subject to final approval by the Joint Standing Committee for Delegated Legislation.

The City's approach to compliance and enforcement, including proactive compliance, reflects its responsibilities under relevant Acts of Parliament, Regulations and local laws. We aim to ensure there is a consistent approach in the undertaking of compliance and enforcement action ensuring transparency, procedural fairness and the principles of natural justice are followed.

The regulatory obligation to enforce local laws is applied through an engage, educate and enforce approach with the optimal outcome being voluntary compliance. Establishing structured community partnerships (e.g., the Wetlands Working Group, Recfishwest), among others supported by targeted messaging in the community.

Who does what (City vs State agencies) in wetland management and enforcement?

• City of Stirling:
  • Manages day-to-day conditions of the lakes (water quality monitoring, signage, maintenance, habitat management, litter control)
  • Sets and enforces local laws relating to public behaviour, access, and recreational use
  • Delivers management plans for specific wetland reserves
  • Assists to co-maintain compensation basins/wetland including Roselea Lake with Water Corporation.
• State (DBCA, Department of Water & Environmental Regulation, Department of Health, Water Corporation):
  • Provides technical guidelines, wetland classification frameworks, and oversight of environmental values
  • Advises the City on public health risks, including toxic algal blooms
  • Assists to co-maintain compensation basins/wetland including Roselea Lake with the City of Stirling.

How are the wetlands managed for community use while protecting ecological values?
Wetland access (paths, viewing areas, passive recreation) is guided by site-level landscape designs and occasionally management plans, which aim to balance public enjoyment with ecological protection. Plans define how access, vegetation, and shoreline protection work together to maintain ecological integrity while keeping the wetlands open for community use. When environmental conditions pose risks (e.g., harmful algal blooms), the City restricts access and installs warnings to protect both people and wildlife. All principals of management are governed by the principals set out within the Strategic Community Plan and Local Biodiversity Strategy.

How can the City enhance community education and targeted behaviour change?

The City aims to expand education through the ‘Talia Gardens, Princeton and Roselea Wetlands Working Group’, which explicitly aims to:

• Share information about wetland ecology,
• Build community awareness and capacity, and
• Support collective discussion around wildlife protection, water quality and behaviour.

This model aligns with the City’s Local Biodiversity Strategy, which identifies community engagement and education as essential to long term biodiversity outcomes. On-ground works and community involvement are also important activities for biodiversity improvement. The development of active, on-ground based Conservation Volunteers or Friends of Groups, assist the City to work in partnership with community to care for the environment.

How is the City monitoring water quality and addressing nutrients/algal blooms?

The City conducts ongoing water sampling of lakes at least twice a year. When blue-green algae is detected, the City follows Department of Health protocols on toxicity risk, water testing frequency, and community warnings. Nutrient issues are monitored and addressed as part of the City’s broader water management and water sensitive urban design approach, which aims to reduce nutrient inputs and improve water quality.

Why consider restricting fishing, and what alternatives will be offered to young people?

Council has considered a fishing ban across ~16 lakes after documented wildlife injuries, including multiple reports of birds harmed by fishing hooks. This led to calls for amendments to local law to formally prohibit fishing at specific wetlands. The City has created the Wetlands Working Group, to identify community concerns, shape behaviour guidelines, and inform ways to enjoy nature without harming wildlife. The City will also continue to work together with interested stakeholders such as Recfishwest to inform decision making.

Can responsible youth fishing continue in some form?

This remains a policy question under current investigation. No final determination has been stated, but the consultation process is the pathway for deciding future fishing arrangements and its impact on the community, both human and wildlife.