Hurlingham Living Stream

The project will be implemented in two stages over two years commencing in 2024 and will be due for completion late 2026.

• February to April 2025: Stage one earthworks and path installation

• May to June 2025: Stage one planting.

• Stage two works in 2026 will occur in the same order and months of the year.

Refer to the plan for the extent and location of each stage of the project. 

The project will have no impact on the seasonal water inundation in the area but creates environmental diversity in an area that is unusable for many months of the year.

The design will ensure the park will remain useable as future predicted sea and river estuary levels increase.

The treatment will slow the movement of water and also increase the water holding capacity of the drain through widening and regrading of the narrow channel. 

Yes, there will be access paths created through the length of the area for pedestrian and maintenance access.

Paths will be made from compacted crushed limestone. 

The path will be suited for pedestrians, people and wheelchairs or people with ambulant disabilities.

The path design is to allow users to experience the living stream and the associated flora and fauna.

The compacted aggregate surface is less suited to skateboards, scooters or high speed road cyclists. 

The project aligns with the South Perth Foreshore Strategy and Management Plan, water sensitive urban design principles, and the State Government’s Perth Water Buneenboro Locality Plan.

The Swan Canning Riverpark Urban Forest program is part of the State Government’s Kep Katitjin – Gabi Kaadadjan – Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2, which aims to establish Perth and Peel as leading waterwise communities by 2030. 

The City has successfully designed and delivered many similar projects that have used living stream principles.

You can see an established living stream at Bodkin Park in Waterford. 

A living stream is a modified stormwater channel that looks and functions like a natural stream. A living stream project converts the existing drain to an ecosystem that mimics the characteristics of a natural stream.

Native plants and vegetation will be installed along the regraded banks of the living stream. These plants will assist in filtering the water by removing nutrients and creating an improved natural habitat for wildlife. 

The existing open Hurlingham drain runs close to the Hurlingham Car Park and Hurlingham Playground on the South Perth Foreshore.

The project will convert the existing open drain and part of the surrounding grass area into a planted living stream. 

The total cost of the project is $925,708. The City of South Perth (the City) has received $602,350 from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Swan Canning Riverpark Urban Forest program.

The City will contribute $323,358 towards the project. 

A selection of approximately 45,000 tubestock plants, including native shrubs, rushes and sedges, will be planted along the living stream to enhance the biodiversity of the area.

The majority of the plants will be propagated and grown in the City’s nursery.

The project’s planted areas have been divided into three zones with appropriate plants selected for each of the zone types – wet, intermediate and dry.

Advanced native trees will be installed adjacent to existing trees to retain views. 

The Hurlingham Living Stream Project is a riverside conservation project on the South Perth Foreshore which will improve the quality of water entering the Swan River.

It will also create a natural habitat for wildlife and enhance the amenity of Sir James Mitchell Park for all. 

All species are low growing, similar to those planted at Miller’s Pool near the Old Mill.

In addition, 40 mature native trees will be installed within existing groups of trees to not obscure existing views.