THE FRIENDS of Bindaring Wetland group (FBW) in Bassendean is mobilising a large-scale habitat restoration effort following the successful allocation of nearly $15,000 through the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) community rivercare program.

The funding, part of the recent North Subregion Round 2 grants totalling nearly $120,000, is strategically empowering volunteer groups to execute vital environmental projects across the Swan Canning catchment.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn highlighted the program’s importance to local environmental management.

“Safeguarding our iconic Swan Canning waterways is a key priority of the Cook Labor government,” he said.

“(This funding) reinforces our commitment to creating healthier river systems and empowering local communities to be part of the solution.”

The Bindaring Park Wetland North Revetation project, which secured $14,800 will cover approximately 1.25 acres – a scale exceeding the FBW’s typical hand-weeding and maintenance work.

FBW representative Val Humphrey expressed the team’s gratitude for the government support.

“Our group focuses on promoting nature… we aim to make sure local species have a good chance to survive and provide what the local fauna needs,” she said.

“To get a grant like this means that our work will have a higher impact.

“To have the wetland revegetated with native species… it means it’s a much larger project than we would have originally be implementing.

“The grant program has enabled us to source funding, that we would have not been eligible for.

“But the biggest winner will be the fauna residing within the reserve as revegetation with native species will rapidly increase the quantity and quality of their protective habitats.”

The funding has been allocated for habitat improvement for birds and other species dependent on the waterway, including introducing shrubs that will offer crucial protection for ground-dwelling species.

“We’ll be able to introduce all sorts of shrubs so that animals will get all the protection they need from cats, dogs and foxes,” she said.

She said that the work the group does has been a great success for preserving endangered species in the area.

“In 2023 we were excited to find quenda’s had moved back into the reserve,” Ms Humphrey said.

“In 40 years of living here I hadn’t seen quenda’s once… (the shrubs) will really help them maintain their population.”

The project will continue to foster community collaboration, as the group works alongside the Town of Bassendean and volunteer students from LaSalle College who will assist with the extensive conservation planting.

“Those sort of places where nature is allowed to take predominance are incredibly valuable because of the opportunity for nature to thrive,” she said.

“(Bindaring Wetland) is a sanctuary for the natural systems, and the bugs, plants and little critters that might live there.”