Swan and Helena Rivers
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Swan and Helena Rivers Management Framework
The Swan and Helena Rivers are iconic landscapes in Perth's Eastern Region recognised for their natural, cultural and social values. They provide a regional resource in terms of ecosystem functions; access to the natural environment; recreation; social, historic and economic links and sustaining the Noongar people for approximately 40 000 years.
The EMRC, its six member councils, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Western Australian Planning Commission continue to work in partnership to enhance the Swan and Helena Rivers through a co-ordinated management framework to improve environmental, economic and social values of some of the state's most unique and valuable natural assets.
The Swan and Helena Rivers Management Framework provides a vision for the future protection and development of the Swan and Helena Rivers as regional assets and identifies nodes, forms of development and strategies to contribute to achieving the vision in the areas of social benefits; environmental values; cultural and natural heritage; planning and management; and design and development.
Consultation in development of the framework identified the following major issues as impeding outcomes for the rivers:
- Approvals process and lack of regional co-ordination
- Management and maintenance of the river banks
- Access to the foreshore
- Foreshore stabilisation.
A review has been completed to evaluate the progress of the implementation of the Swan and Helena Rivers Management Framework and inform the future direction of the project.
High priority projects in the framework that have been completed include:
Swan and Helena Rivers Regional Recreational Path Development Plan
Swan and Helena Rivers Management Framework Heritage Audit and Statement of Significance
Best Management Practices for Foreshore Stabilisation Project
Regional Aboriginal Consultation Guidelines
A full electronic copy of the Swan and Helena Rivers Management Framework report is available to download below in two parts.
Swan and Helena Rivers Management Framework Report - Part 1
Swan and Helena Rivers Management Framework Report - Part 2
Swan and Helena Rivers Regional Recreational Path Development Plan
The Swan and Helena Rivers Regional Recreational Path Development Plan sets out an integrated trail network along both sides of the Swan River foreshore from Windan Bridge to Guildford, providing public access to social, cultural and natural heritage experiences along the Swan River.
Investment is required to upgrade existing foreshore paths, complete missing links in the path and to design and install directional signage. The EMRC is supporting member Councils to secure this investment.
An electronic copy of the report is available to download below in ten parts, with the full report plus nine maps.
Swan and Helena Rivers Regional Recreational Path Development Plan
Map Plan 1 - Entire Study Area
Map Plan 2 - Town of Bassendean Path Projects
Map Plan 3 - City of Bayswater Path Projects
Map Plan 4 - City of Belmont Path Projects
Map Plan 5 - City of Swan Path Projects
Map Plan 6 - Town of Bassendean Signage Locations
Map Plan 7 - City of Bayswater Signage Locations
Map Plan 8 - City of Belmont Signage Locations
Map Plan 9 - City of Swan Signage Locations
Heritage Audit and Statement of Significance
The Heritage Audit and Statement of Significance for the Swan and Helena Rivers provides a valuable reference for river projects that will guide theming, development and location of interpretive experiences along the river foreshore trail. The Statement of Significance identifies overarching themes that link the natural, Noongar and historic values -- River of life; Power of the landscape and Sustainability.
Investment is required to develop an interpretation plan that identifies specific sites for interpretation of values and the methods and costs for interpretation. The EMRC is supporting member councils to secure partners and funding for interpretation.
An electronic copy of the report is available for download below.
Heritage Audit and Statement of Significance Report
Foreshore Stabilisation Project
The Best Management Practices for Foreshore Stabilisation report provides locally relevant information on a range of best practice techniques to improve foreshore stabilisation management. The report was prepared by consultants, Oceanica Pty Ltd for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in collaboration with the EMRC and its member councils.
A decision support framework has been developed to assist the identification of appropriate foreshore stabilisation techniques for specific site situations and provides information to ensure that specialist advice for stabilisation is targeted and cost effective.
Regional Aboriginal Consultation Guidelines
In 2010 the EMRC developed Regional Aboriginal Consultation Guidelines to provide a framework for local government officers to better undertake Aboriginal consultation, in order to meet legislative requirements and to identify who, how and what needs to be communicated to enable more consultative and respectful engagement with the Aboriginal community when undertaking river management activities.
The guidelines build on previous work undertaken by the EMRC and its member councils and more recently the Swan Canning Riverpark Iconic Trails Project (SCRITP) advisory group with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC), Perth Region Natural Resource Management and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
An electronic copy of the Regional Aboriginal Consultation Guidelines is available to download below:
Regional Aboriginal Consultation Guidelines
For further information please contact:
Chief Sustainability Officer Wendy Harris
Email: Wendy.Harris@emrc.org.au
