Black Swan Habitat

The Black Swan Habitat (formerly Waterbird Refuge) at Node 7: The Lakes (the area of South Perth Foreshore to the east of Coode Street) provides an overland link between salt and freshwater habitat (the river and the lakes) to improve habitat for native waterbirds and protect the riverbank from erosion.

Upgrades to the South Perth Foreshore are driven by the community supported and Council endorsed SPF Plan. 

The Black Swan Habitat delivers specific strategies and actions for The Lakes which are outlined in the SPF Plan. These include:

‘Develop The Lakes node as a water-based, ecologically focused precinct, restored, expanded and integrated into its surroundings; providing a retreat for bird watching/breeding, ecology and learning; with volunteers involved in ecological restoration programs; and develop the location for the establishment of a swan breeding habitat; with an interpretive centre and café; and provide for family recreation with picnic facilities and play areas including a nature play space.’

At the February 2021 meeting, Council resolved to change the name of the project from Waterbird Refuge to Black Swan Habitat to better reflect the intent of the State Government's Bringing Back the Swans report, which included recommendations to increase black swan numbers in the river.   

The Black Swan Habitat will improve the area of the foreshore as a water-based, ecologically focused precinct. 

The primary objective of the project was to protect the foreshore reserve, improve habitat for native waterbirds, while also protecting the riverbank from erosion.

Damaged river walls have been replaced with a habitat island, two vegetated headlands, a beach, and a planted rock revetment.

The project also provides a retreat for birdwatching, breeding, ecology, and learning.

The City is working with community group Friends of South Perth to assist in environmental monitoring of the area. Bird numbers and nesting sites in and around the area were  counted before completion of the project and will continue to be monitored now that the Black Swan Habitat is complete.

The City has grown approximately 11,000 native plants, and 20 trees in its nursery for the project. The new trees have replaced the introduced Casuarina species that self-seeded in the area.

Under the Swan and Canning Rivers Management Act 2006 management of the river wall is a shared responsibility between the Parks and Wildlife Service and the City.

This includes;

• protecting the Riverpark
• continuously improving the river edge by using the best techniques available at the time, rather than replacing like for like
• balancing environmental, social and economic factors when protecting the Riverpark.

As part of the project two groves of introduced, self-seeded Casuarina cunninghamiana were removed to prevent further spread of these invasive weed.

The trees have been replaced with local species and the City grew approximately 11,000 native plants, and 20 trees in its nursery for the project.

The Casuarina cunninghamiana trees that were removed are considered weeds as they are not native to Western Australia and they spread their seed along the riverbank.

Casuarina cunninghamiana trees are endemic to the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. They are noted for their invasive roots and tendency to sucker creating many more specimens, as could be witnessed with these groves. While the City does not normally remove mature trees, it is considered appropriate to do so in this case, particularly along the river edge.

Removal of the trees will prevent further weed infestations along the river and enable replacement of damaged underground drainage pipes which are located under the Casuarina cunninghamiana groves. These drainage pipes provide a supply of freshwater to the Swan River from the lakes. Freshwater inputs are essential to support black swans and other birds on the river. Over time the drainage pipes have been damaged by the dense root mat of the Casuarina cunninghamiana trees and removal of these trees will allow the pipework to be reinstated. New trees have been located away from the pipes to prevent future damage.

Our project partner, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions recommended local native trees and understorey species to be planted in the project area. Native foreshore vegetation is valuable as it provides multiple benefits; helps cool our river recreational areas by 3 - 5ºC, reduces erosion and helps stabilise foreshores, enhances liveability by creating natural wind breaks along the river foreshore, provides vital habitat for insects, birds and other native wildlife and improves water quality by slowing and filtering runoff before it enters drains and the rivers.

The primary aim of the project is to provide habitat for native waterbirds. To protect birds, the beach is prohibited to dogs. Signage will be provided on the beach to enforce this restriction while a balustrade along the edge of the pathway should remind people that the beach is for birds only. The balustrade is high enough for birds to pass under.

The primary aim of the project is to provide habitat for native waterbirds. People are discouraged from occupying the beach, however you can bird watch from the footpath.

The City is working with local community groups to undertake environmental monitoring of the area. Bird numbers and nesting sites in and around the area were counted before construction commenced and will continue to be monitored now the Black Swan Habitat is complete.

The river edge treatments have been designed with a capacity for 50 years of sea level rise. During peak events, less overtopping (water breaching the river edge) will occur than with the previous river wall. To protect the foreshore from all overtopping would require a taller rock revetment that would obstruct views.

The City will continue to work with the Parks and Wildlife Service to plan upgrades of river edge between Coode Street and Ellam Street. The river wall will be upgraded in a staged approach over about a decade as funding is available.