Tag: wildlife

Gardening for Wildlife and Biodiversity

Local sustainability superstars, Mandy and Mike Bamford, guide us through their stunning ReWild garden full of gorgeous greenery and wonderful wildflowers.

Mandy and Mike Bamford turned their backyard from a sandy paddock into a beautiful biodiverse, ReWild wonderland over the last 34 years. Their astonishing efforts and persistence in weeding, planting and growing plants from seed has paid off, and now their garden is always buzzing with activity from native wildlife and their outdoor space provides them with endless enjoyment.

Starting from scratch

Mandy and Mike moved into their 2,116m2 block of land in Kingsley 34 years ago. When they purchased the block, it was a large, barren paddock with nothing but weeds thriving in yellow builder’s sand.

Despite the extent of work ahead of them, they saw the potential of the space and knew that with a bit of work, their garden would grow into a biodiverse, green oasis for their family that would soon provide habitat for native fauna for years to come.

Mandy and Mike saw great potential to create their biodiverse garden when they purchased the land 34 years ago.

Mandy and Mike had always been fascinated by native animals and plants. The opportunity to create their garden from scratch was an exciting dream that they got started on right away. Their goal was to create a garden for wildlife so that they could enjoy seeing spectacular native animals every day in their own backyard, with the additional benefits of a cooler home and fresh air for their family.

ReWild Gardening

‘ReWilding’ is a global movement aiming to restore the natural environment through planting native species, with the aim of providing habitat for native fauna, greener cities and mitigation of climate change.

ReWild Perth is about creating environments that support native wildlife we have displaced through land clearing, in our own backyards and gardens. There are limited untouched green spaces remaining in the Perth Metropolitan area, but with a community effort we can all start to restore the environment and cohabit with native species.

Mandy and Mike signed up to the ReWild program to continue to create their beautiful garden and outdoor space. Registering their ReWild garden gave them access to a garden action plan, which helped them set goals for their garden and track their progress. They could also view the collective impact they were making on the suburb progress map.

ReWild resources and plant lists are perfect for heading to the nursery to find out which plants are native, and how each of your plants can support wildlife in your garden. You can select plants that attract a certain species and find out how to create the perfect habitat garden.

A Grey Fantail taking a bath and a quick drink before exploring the garden.

Natives for nature

After a few years of planting seedlings, growing plants from seed and swapping plants with friends and family, Mandy and Mike could start to sit back, watch their garden grow and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

They have watched their Marri trees grow from seedlings into large trees that are now providing a bounty of food for Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos! The Marri trees are often full of honeyeaters, Striated Pardalotes and insects that feed, nest and shelter in them.

There are seven Marri trees on Mandy and Mike’s property, which provide a wonderfully shaded canopy on their home and keep them cool throughout the summer months. Tree canopy is incredibly important for mitigating the urban heat island effect, which we have been experiencing quite intensely this past summer.

“When the maximum for Perth was 43° degrees a few weeks ago (February 2024), our thermometer was showing only 39° degrees. It was very pleasant sitting under our Marri trees with a cup of tea, watching the wildlife coming to our garden for shade. Imagine how much cooler it would be if every spare space in our suburbs had trees!”

The Marri trees aren’t the only flora species buzzing with activity in their garden. Some species pop up by themselves, such as the three orchid species that flower happily every year. They support a myriad of insects, such as the Peacock Spider and the beautiful Blue-banded Bee!

Creating homes and habitat

Not only do Mandy and Mike provide habitat for wildlife by planting the native plants that animals love, but they also provide built habitat options, such as ‘lizard lounges’, insect hotels, baths, ponds and water bowls for birds and ground marsupials. They also install nest boxes that replicate hollows and crevices for birds and bats.

If you walk around the garden, you will see piles of leaf litter that have been left out for invertebrates, fungi and microorganisms to keep their soil healthy. The leaf litter also acts as a natural mulch on the ground. Small areas of sand between paving bricks provide nests for Blue-banded Bees, and the many groundcovers and shrubs provide protection for many different animals as well as acting as a living mulch helping to retain soil moisture.

The diversity in both natural and artificial habitat options, alongside ponds and wet areas provides the perfect home for many native species. Mandy and Mike have successfully brought the bushland to their backyard!

No-fuss Natives

Mandy and Mike don’t water their garden much at all. They only need to water their veggies, herbs and fruit trees, and a small patch of lawn they have where their dog plays outside.

“Newly planted seedlings need watering throughout the first summer but mostly the garden doesn’t need much water,” Mandy said, “Only light hand-watering needs to be done during the summer.”

While Mandy and Mike enjoy gardening and choose to spend their time in the garden, it’s not necessary for a ReWild garden. Once their garden became established, their native plants don’t require much upkeep. The most that needs to be done is a light prune of some of the larger shrubs, and some Marri leaves need to be swept off the paths and put into the compost.

One of Mandy’s favourite species, the Coojong or the Golden Wattle (Acacia saligna). It is a ‘powerhouse’ for native animals and helps improve your soil health!

A win for water efficiency and conservation

This garden is waterwise as well as being wildlife friendly, it allows the rain to water it and is irrigation free! In addition, beautiful biodiverse gardens beaming with plants help water infiltration preventing stormwater run-off, allowing deep soaking of the soil. The plant cover provides a cooling effect and keeps the soil protected in the hot summer months, and it can even help reduce temperatures inside Mike and Mandy’s home. Together these water and energy savings mean less money is going on bills!

This garden is also well positioned to survive in Perth’s forecast drying climate with additional hot days.

Easy to maintain and a beautiful garden!

Who said you couldn’t have it all? Waterwise and biodiverse gardens can be just as beautiful as any other garden full of exotic water hungry plants, and they better support our local wildlife. Natives can be used to design all sorts of gardens now – from Mediterranean, cottage gardens to coastal designs, natives are versatile and resilient as well as adapted to our climate!

Mike and Mandy say maintenance of the garden is less than what it would have been if they had lawn, and it’s something they enjoy doing. Whether it’s a few hours of weeding a month, light pruning or planting new plants in winter, they love spending time in their biodiverse oasis.

Join the ReWilding Revolution!

If you want to start a ReWild garden, Mandy and Mike’s advice is to enjoy it and experiment!

Always ask for advice from other rewilding gardeners, check out social media rewild or gardening groups, and get your resources from ReWild Perth, NatureLink Perth, Birdlife Australia, Gardening Australia, Wildflower Society and Water Corporation.

The City also has some great resources to help you on your rewilding journey. Our Growing Locals page has a soils map so you can find out your soil type and discover the right native plants for your garden. You can also check our Intramaps resource to see if you live in a ‘Regional Ecological Linkage’ area by clicking ‘Regional Ecological Linkage’ on the lefthand menu and find your address. View our tips for a thriving wildlife garden. You can apply for a free street tree and view our Waterwise Demonstration Gardens for some inspiration. Our recent Waterwise Verge Garden Competition winner also has some great tips for waterwise native gardening.

“It’s great knowing that we are helping to create a stepping stone for wildlife through our suburb. It has been exciting to notice other people in our street gradually adding a few native plants to their verges and gardens.

There is a rewilding revolution taking place!”

Together we can all make small changes to take charge of our space and ‘bring nature home’ to where it used to be.

Mandy and Mike Bamford in their ReWild garden.

Subscribe to the City of Joondalup’s Sustainability eNewsletter to stay updated about environmental news, stories, and events.

Waterwise Verge Garden Competition – 2023 Winners Announced

Waterwise Verge Garden Competition

We are proud to announce and celebrate the successes of residents involved in our Waterwise Verge Garden Competition for 2023/24.

Residents are playing a vital role in saving valuable water, greening and cooling our neighbourhoods, supporting and enhancing local biodiversity and creating a waterwise community. We think this is worth celebrating and hope it will inspire others to take action in this space.

The awards recognise residents who have created and maintained beautiful, waterwise and biodiverse verge gardens.

This initiative was proudly co-funded by Water Corporation’s Waterwise Greening Scheme and forms part of our ambition for the City to be a leading waterwise community.

Thank you to everyone who entered the 2023 Waterwise Verge Garden Competition

Waterwise Verge Garden of the Year

Melanie Davies

Waterwise Verge Garden Winner

Alix Oakes

Waterwise Verge Garden Highly Commended

Jacqui Thake

Biodiverse Verge Garden Winner

Joy Mack-haven

Biodiverse Verge Garden Highly Commended

Michael Frazier

Meet the overall winner of our Waterwise Verge Garden Competition, Melanie Davies

Inspired to create your own waterwise verge garden? 

Our waterwise verge gardens webpage shares a range of tips and resources to help you get started. Water Corporation’s handy guide to waterwise verges can also help you convert your verge into a beautiful, biodiverse and waterwise garden.

To keep up to date with future waterwise initiatives, sign up to the City of Joondalup’s Sustainability eNewsletter.

Meet the Wildlife Warriors of Yellagonga Regional Park

Volunteers with the Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park (FOY) have been caring for and rehabilitating biodiversity across Yellagonga Regional Park for more than 30 years! They do amazing work to protect the wildlife and flora and encourage biodiversity within our natural areas.

What started as a small residents group motivated to rehabilitate the old farming lands in 1990, the group has now grown to over 100 casual and 40 weekly volunteers that participate in the rehabilitation of Yellagonga Regional Park every single week! The group is a not-for-profit and non-government conservation organisation with the mission of ensuring long-term environmental sustainability with compatible human use.

FOY not only undertakes a remarkable effort to introduce more Indigenous flora for the nourishment of wildlife throughout Yellagonga Regional Park; but also to enhance the area’s biodiversity.

The Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park celebrate their 30th Anniversary

Achieving 30 years of environmental protection

Over the years, the FOY have achieved a huge amount to protect the natural area. Since their beginning in the 1990s, the group has consistently removed countless invasive and non-native flora planted during European settlement and farming days, such as Canna Lilys, Pepper Trees, Olive Trees and Castor Oil Bushes.

In 2010, bat boxes were installed all across Yellagonga Regional Park by the group, some of which you might see installed on trees as you walk around the Regional Park today! In 2018 for their 25th Anniversary, the group received a grant and certificate of appreciation from the Major of the City of Joondalup. In 2019 the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) granted the group funding to install nine ‘cockatubes’ throughout the park which provide homes for the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo. All these great achievements were reflected on and celebrated at their recent 30th birthday celebration.

The Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park have shared that even their many smaller milestones make them proud. They dedicate their brilliant work to their volunteers that help improve biodiversity and vegetation condition by planting native species and removing weeds.

Saving turtles

Southwestern Snake-necked Turtle

FOY have recently joined the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle program to protect the turtles in the Yellagonga wetlands. Recent studies have shown that female turtles are often killed while trying to nest, and very few juveniles survive each nesting season. Because of this, the turtle population in the Yellagonga wetlands is declining.

As a part of the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle program, the FOY will patrol the Yellagonga wetlands over Spring and protect nesting females and their nests, as well as logging data using the TurtleSAT App.

Turtles prefer to dig their nests and lay their eggs in more natural areas, surrounded by native plants. While travelling to their nest location, they would normally seek shelter from predators, like birds, under the cover of native vegetation. However, some areas around the Yellagonga wetlands were cleared for farming in the past and are now open grassed parks. FOY actively replant and reforest sections of the Regional Park, which provides nesting locations for turtles, as well as providing shelter from predators for female turtles and their hatchlings.

Turtles bury their eggs on land, usually near wetlands in the warmer months. The eggs hatch several months later, and the babies make their way to the water where they begin their lives. Unfortunately, nesting turtles leave a scent trail which attracts foxes, and they dig up the eggs. Turtle eggs and hatchlings are also vulnerable to uncontained domestic pets, humans walking/cycling through bushland areas and other wildlife.

Turtle eggs predated by a fox

FOY works alongside the 1Million Turtle Program and the Saving our Snake-necked Turtles (SOSNT) teams to promote awareness of vulnerable species and try to protect the turtles from becoming a threatened or endangered species. The group uses the TurtleSAT app to record where the nests are and report nests that have been destroyed. This year, the group is supported by the Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo, the DBCA and SOSNT to start a nest protection program.

Turtles are more likely to nest in dense flora close to the water’s edge, so the group also conducts planting closer to the lake to encourage turtles to stick to the area rather than journeying through risky open grassed areas or across roads.

Acting Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park Chairperson, Guy Austin-Crowe, using TurtleSAT app at Yellagonga Regional Park
Everyone can become a Citizen Scientist! You can help protect the Southwestern snake-necked turtles by downloading the TurtleSAT App and record any sightings or damaged nests that you see. The data you provide will give a meaningful record and can be used to highlight the problem and to help save our turtles.

Emerging threats to our wetlands

FOY advocates for the Park in decision-making processes and educates the community about the area to protect and conserve it. Yellagonga Regional Park is an important area for environmental conservation and biodiversity. Some of the threats to Yellagonga Regional Park include that local fauna are lacking food sources and safe nesting places. FOY conducts revegetation to provide more food and nesting habitat for native fauna.

Water levels are rising in the lake, which is causing the paper bark trees (Melaleucas) to uproot as they are no longer having a dry period over summer. The uprise in water levels is due to deforestation and suburban sprawl north of the regional park with the underground aquifer diverting its water to our lakes. FOY have begun to plant paper bark trees further back from the water’s edge to begin the revegetation process.

Feral animals such as foxes and cats are preying upon native animals in the Park. Animals native to the area, such as swamp hens, Quendas, Southwestern snake-necked turtles, ground-nesting water birds, Bobtail lizards, Goannas, Rakali and snakes are becoming threatened and are at risk of extinction, partly due to predation from these animals. The Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo and DBCA conduct regular fox control in the Park to reduce the number of foxes.

Fox caught on wildlife camera in Yellagonga Regional Park

How can you help?

  • Plant locally native species in your garden that will provide food and habitat for fauna.
  • Allow spaces, such as rockeries, for reptiles to live safely in your garden.
  • Switch to environmentally friendly ways to fertilize and weed your garden and consider using home-made environmentally friendly fertilizers such your own home compost system or hand weeding methods.
  • Consider using rodenticide-free baits and chemical-free, humane options against pests to avoid second generation poisoning.
  • Keep your dog on a leash at all times and keep cats enclosed on your property to prevent negative impacts to native fauna.
  • If you see feral animals in the regional park, download the free app ‘feralscan’ to record your sighting. The app is nationwide, which helps researchers to gather further data to feral animal locations and populations.
  • Pick up rubbish and don’t litter. You could aim to take 3 pieces of additional rubbish with you when you leave any natural area – it all makes a difference!
  • Get involved with your local environment group to help reduce weeds, improve biodiversity and revegetate areas, as well as raising awareness and showing that people care!

The Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park welcome people of all ages and abilities to their workdays. It is an opportunity to meet new people, exercise and enjoy nature. The team shares knowledge and experiences and will train anyone new to the group. There are many opportunities to volunteer and make a difference. The Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park have made a great difference to the Park over the last 30 years, and more volunteers will help them continue their amazing work!

Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park and volunteers at the Tanah Close site after completing a workday of planting and weeding

Protect our Wildlife

We have a beautiful natural environment, home to our unique and inspiring wildlife, which we care for and protect. Local wildlife needs our help and faces many threats – this includes when people purposefully feed wildlife, which can result in animals becoming overconfident, contribute to a decline in their health and wellbeing, and even promote aggressive behaviour. We encourage you to learn how to look after wildlife, help sick or injured animals, and know who to contact for assistance. 

Providing food and water for wildlife is often done with the best intentions. However, whether you’re concerned for their welfare or simply trying to get closer to an animal, offering food and water can put these animals at risk. 

Why we should let nature cater for our wildlife 

Some of the issues caused by feeding wildlife include: 

  • Dependency on humans for survival as they rely on food provided and lose the ability to find food for themselves. This can particularly impact juveniles who should be learning to find their natural food.  
  • Sickness and deformities due to high quantities of salt present in bread and processed foods.  
  • Weight issues due to high quantities of fat present in processed food and meat.  
  • Dietary imbalances and severe deficiencies can be brought on by feeding (e.g. raw meat is lacking in calcium and has high phosphorous levels). 
  • Increase in aggression and stress as many animals try to feed or drink together. 
  • Spreading disease through a concentration of food and animals in large numbers in one place.  
  • Bacteria from artificial water sources that become stagnant can be deadly to animals and spread sickness easily. Did you know that kangaroos around Yellagonga Regional Park absorb most of their water needs through food? Luckily, there’s a permanent natural water source in the park if they need it, so there is no need to supplement with buckets of water.  
  • Increase in the quantity of non-native animals, rodents and insects, as the more food they get, the more they breed. 
  • Changing the balance of species in the wild as it can increase some species, which, in turn, decreases others. 

Nature provides everything they need to survive and thrive, so please refrain from feeding our wildlife food and water. Feeding of native animals is illegal and can also incur large fines. 

Wetland waterbirds foraging for food in the shallow mudflats in Yellagonga Regional Park.

Wildlife conservation efforts by the City and its partners 

The City works with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and its neighbouring local governments to conserve and protect wildlife. 

Some of the environmental initiatives the City has led or supported include: 

  • Implementing the Yellagonga Integrated Catchment Management Plan with the City of Wanneroo. 
  • Collaborating with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the City of Wanneroo on a ‘Local Biodiversity Project’ within Yellagonga Regional Park. 
  • Collaborating with Murdoch University and other partners on the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project and implementing the Turtle Trackers program to help protect turtle nests at Lake Joondalup. 
  • Controlling feral animals in conjunction with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the City of Wanneroo. 
  • Working with volunteers to conserve and protect natural areas. 
  • Undertaking revegetation and habitat creation projects in collaboration with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, the City of Wanneroo, schools and community groups. This also includes installing conservation fencing in reserves. 
  • Raising awareness and educating the community, including installing signage in reserves and implementing a range of greening and biodiversity initiatives. 

Feeding or leaving water out for Kangaroos can make them aggressive, dependent and puts them at risk.

How you can help wildlife 

We all have a role in helping protect and conserve our local biodiversity. Here are some ways that you can enjoy and appreciate the wildlife around you without interfering: 

  • Volunteer your time to protect and manage our beautiful and diverse natural areas. You will be able to help enhance these areas and create new habitats for our local wildlife. Find your local Friends Group today and learn more about how to establish a new group. There are also opportunities to help sick and injured wildlife return to the wild, plant out areas to help native fauna flourish, survey birds and more. Or, if you are looking to volunteer with other wildlife care or conservation organisations, you can find an opportunity that suits you.  
  • Create your own wildlife habitat at home to attract birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects that you can observe. Grow native plants that provide nectar-rich flowers, fruits and leaves that wildlife feed on, and in time, will provide them with shelter. Leave out a clean, freshly filled bird bath to help attract native birds.  
  • With fewer tree hollows available in suburbia, consider building a nesting box in your backyard for local birds or animals. Different animals require different types of boxes, so it’s a good idea to investigate the animals that visit your area and the types of homes they require. Visit ReWild Perth for an action plan and more information to get started on creating a habitat for wildlife.
  • Take the time to connect with and visit nature. Yellagonga Regional Park and other natural areas in the City are wonderful places to observe kangaroos and other local wildlife and bushland birds.  
  • Contribute to citizen science projects and record your wildlife sightings and observations, identify species and contribute to a national scientific database on Atlas of Living Australia. 

What you can do if you see sick or injured wildlife 

Contact the Wildcare Helpline if you find sick or injured native wildlife and are seeking advice on where to find care for the animal. 

Our closest nonprofit organisation that rescues, treats and rehabilitates sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife is Native Animal Rescue in Malaga.

Southwestern Snake-necked Turtles

Southwestern snake-necked turtles (Chelodina colliei) are also commonly known as Oblong or Long-Necked Turtles. ​The Noongar names for these turtles are Yaakan and Booyi, which translate to long-necked turtle.

Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project

Each year, many turtles are killed by foxes and vehicles when they leave the water to find a nesting spot, and their nests can be destroyed by foxes, birds, dogs and cats. Turtle numbers in the Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands are declining, with very few hatchlings making it back to the lake each year.

To help our turtles in the Yellagonga wetlands, the City has joined the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project.

The program includes:

  • In Spring, during the nesting season, a team of trained ‘Turtle Tracker’ volunteers patrol the Yellagonga wetlands and protect female turtles while the turtles are on their journey out of the water to find the perfect nesting spot. The Turtle Trackers also protect the nests to prevent them being destroyed by predators such as birds and foxes.
  • Promoting the TurtleSAT app and TurtleSAT website – community members can use these to record turtle and nest sightings. This information is used to monitor turtle populations throughout the park.

What to do if you see a turtle

If you see a turtle out of the water, it is probably a female turtle nesting. Contact the Turtle Tracker team:

This project is run in partnership with the City of Wanneroo and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), in collaboration with Murdoch University and the South West Group, funded by Lotterywest.

Further information on the project is available on the Saving our Snake-necked Turtles (SOSNT) website.

Dr Anthony Santoro and the Saving our snake-necked turtle project

Dr Anthony Santoro, Murdoch University turtle ecologist

What you can do to help turtles

  • If you see a turtle out of the water, or if a turtle is nesting on your property, contact the Turtle Tracker team via:
    • the Woodvale Waters Friends of Beenyup Swamp – 0412 400 874, or the Friends of Yellagonga (via Facebook messenger).
      These volunteer groups are both a part of the Turtle Tracker team and will be able to send down a trained Turtle Tracker volunteer who can come and protect the turtle and the nest. Turtle Trackers are a local group of trained volunteers who patrol the wetlands over Spring when turtles are nesting, to help keep turtles safe and to protect their nests.
  • If you see a turtle, assist them in the direction they are heading and protect them from predators and vehicles. But keep your distance – if scared, a turtle may abandon nesting and return to the water.
  • Get involved in the Turtle Tracker program by joining the Friends of Yellagonga or Woodvale Waters Friends of Beenyup Channel volunteer groups.
  • Look out for turtles on the roads and paths surrounding wetlands, particularly during rainy days in the nesting season in Spring (September – November) and hatching season in Spring and Autumn. Turtles and hatchlings can be hard to see, particularly on roads.
  • If you find an injured turtle, call Native Animal Rescue Hospital in Malaga and they can provide advice on what to do.
  • Use the TurtleSAT app, or use the TurtleSAT website, to record any turtles or nests that you see. This data will help the City understand our local turtle populations and help us to monitor and protect the turtles in the future.
  • Keep your dog on a leash and away from turtles and nests.
  • Report fox sightings to the City and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Regional Parks Unit 9442 0300.
  • Report turtle poaching to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction Wildlife Branch through the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 or Wildlife Watch 1800 449 453.

Southwestern Snake-necked Turtles

Appearance

The Southwestern snake-necked turtle gets its name from its appearance as it has a long, snake-like neck that folds in sideways, and an oblong shell (carapace). The colour of the shell generally ranges from dark brown to black, while the underside of the shell (plastron) is usually a pale white/yellow. These turtles have webbed feet with four claws.

Males are generally smaller than females. They have longer tails and slightly more curved plastrons (bottom side of the shell) than females.

The neck is almost as long as its shell and its full length can reach about 50cm. Hatchlings are very small, with a shell (carapace) length of around 3cm.

Turtle hatchling

Turtle hatchling

Habitat and distribution

These turtles are commonly found in the waterways of the Perth metropolitan area. They can be found throughout the southwest of WA, extending north to Hill River (approximately 300km north of Perth) and south to the Fitzgerald River National Park. For further information visit the Department of Water and Environmental Regulations website.
You can find these turtles in freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, and swamps – as long as there is enough habitat, food and good water quality. These turtles shelter underground in burrows, thick leaf litter, and under logs in wetlands.
Adults generally spend their whole life in the water, venturing out onto land only to lay eggs in Spring.

Southwestern snake-necked turtles are aquatic predators and feed on aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, frogs, fish and even small birds. Having a predator in the area is a sign the ecosystem is working well, and the environment boasts growing levels of biodiversity. For further information, visit Rewild Perth website.

In the City of Joondalup, these turtles are found in many of our wetlands, with the main population calling Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands home.

Behaviour and nesting

These special creatures spend their lives in the water, coming out onto land only to nest in Spring. The eggs stay in the burrow over summer, and the hatchlings emerge one by one and start their journey to the water in Autumn.

Turtles choose their nesting locations carefully, to keep their eggs safe over summer. Most female turtles travel around 100m to find a suitable nest location, but some will travel further to find the perfect spot. This often means turtles will cross over roads, bike paths, footpaths, and open grassed parks and ovals to reach their ideal nesting location. Along the way, they are under threat from birds, vehicles, domestic pets, and feral animals such as foxes.

Often female turtles can be killed while nesting, and the nests can be destroyed by native animals, such as ravens, and feral and domestic animals, such as foxes, cats, and dogs. Because of this, very few hatchlings survive each year, and turtle numbers are declining.

Threats

Turtles face numerous threats and their numbers are declining.

The City is working collaboratively with a range of partners to help understand these turtles and safeguard their survival in our wetlands. Some of the key threats to Southwestern snake-necked turtle populations include:

  • Habitat loss through native vegetation clearing.
  • Habitat modification:
    • a lot of the area around wetlands has been cleared for grassed parkland or residential properties, so turtles often must travel over open lawn areas to find nesting locations. These open and lawned areas provide very little vegetation cover and provide no protection from predators such as birds;
    • Due to the urbanisation of the catchment, turtles are forced to nest in areas where the nests may be damaged, such as on private property, in road median strips or verges, or areas likely to be trampled by pedestrians or cars;
    • Fences, roads, curbs, paths and road drains can block or trap turtles and their hatchlings on their journey to and from the wetland.
  • Poor water quality.
  • Traffic impacts from vehicles, bikes and pedestrians, resulting in mortality.
  • Predation by:
    • feral animals, in particular foxes and feral cats;
    • pets, where dogs are off-leash and cats are not kept indoors;
    • native fauna, such as ravens and magpies.
  • Pest fish species reducing water quality.
  • Drying climate, as female turtles tend not to reproduce as frequently in dry conditions

You can learn more about these threats in the City’s brochure.

Turtle conservation

The City conserves turtles by:

  • Controlling fox numbers in and around turtle nesting areas in conjunction with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the City of Wanneroo.
  • Joining the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project and implementing the Turtle Trackers program to help protect turtle nests at Lake Joondalup.
  • Installing temporary and permanent signs – ‘turtles on the move’, ‘keep dogs on-leash’ and ‘slow down for turtles’.
  • Working with volunteers to maintain nesting sites at Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands.
  • Implementing the Yellagonga Integrated Catchment Management Plan with the City of Wanneroo.
  • Undertaking a long-term water quality monitoring program in collaboration with Edith Cowan University, to ensure good water quality.
  • Undertaking revegetation and habitat creation projects in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, City of Wanneroo, local schools and community groups.
  • Implementing a range of greening and biodiversity gardening initiatives.

Installing signs

Installing turtle information signs at Lake Joondalup

Turtles on the move

The City’s Natural Areas team have been busy installing turtle signs around Lake Joondalup, as a part of the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Program. The signs provide guidance on how you can help if you see turtles and how you can assist to monitor their populations.

Southwestern snake-necked turtles (known to Noongar people as ‘Booyi’) are likely to be out and about in spring, looking for a spot to dig a nest and lay their eggs. They usually choose nesting sites within 100m of their wetland and prefer to nest during rainy weather, which means they can be difficult to see on roads and bike paths.

You can take the following actions to help the turtles:

  • If turtles need help, assist them in the direction they are heading.
  • If you find an injured turtle, call the WA Wildlife Hospital on 9417 7105 and they can provide advice.
  • Drive and ride slowly around wetlands, especially during rainy weather in Spring when the turtles may be crossing roads or paths to look for nesting sites.
  • Keep your dog on a leash and away from turtles and nests.
  • Protect turtles from predators, such as ravens, dogs and cats.
  • Download and use the TurtleSAT app, or use the website, to record turtle observations. This data will help the City understand our local turtle populations and help us to monitor and protect the turtles in the future.

This project is run in partnership with the City of Wanneroo and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Murdoch University and the South West Group.

Further information about the project can be found on the City’s website.

Yellagonga Regional Park

The City of Joondalup is home to Yellagonga Regional Park, often called the Kings Park of the north. The park is best explored from the historic site of Neil Hawkins Park, situated only a short stroll from the Joondalup City Centre.

Yellagonga is Joondalup’s best hidden secret. Nature lovers can walk through the native bushland that surrounds the 16-km circuit around Lake Joondalup, home to wildlife such as long-necked turtles, frogs, kangaroos and a wide variety of birdlife.

Coastal walks and cycling trails

The City of Joondalup is privileged to have fantastic beaches, sunsets over the Indian ocean and many cycle paths that venture inland amongst nature reserves and for most of the 17 kilometres of pristine coastline.

Walk or cycle along the Sunset Coast

The Sunset Coast coastal path is an easy, half day family ride that runs from Marmion, south of Hillarys Boat Harbour to Burns Beach. Eleven interpretive signs along the path provide information on the native flora, fauna and history of the area.

The 14km trail encompasses Marmion Marine Park, a diving and snorkelling paradise, and Hillarys Boat Harbour with its cafes, shops, family friendly swimming beach and boats. Take the trail north to Burns Beach and weave through a natural coastline of bushland, alternating with fabulous coastal views.

Fishing areas, swimming beaches, lookouts, toilets, pubs, cafes, restaurants, kiosks and shops, can all be seen along this trail or alternatively via a nice drive all the way up the coast. Along the path flowering native plants, and animals such as the slow moving “bobtail” lizards and the tiny blue fairy wrens can often be spotted.

Whilst the trail can be started at either end, and accessed from any point, the official start is in the suburb of Marmion. Trail markers along the route provide distances to the next section. Please note that at many times of the year the prevailing wind makes riding north easier than riding south.

For more information visit Trails WA.

Discover Joondalup’s best hidden secret

Walk or cycle around Lake Joondalup and enjoy the beauty of Perth’s metropolitan bushland in Yellagonga Regional Park.

The 16km Lake Joondalup circuit is a well-developed family friendly path starting from the historic site of Neil Hawkins Park, situated only a short stroll away from the Joondalup City Centre.

Make your way around the lake and enjoy the magnificent flora and local wildlife including kangaroos, long-necked turtles, and a variety of birds. The circuit takes you through magnificent panoramic lake views as well as various children’s playgrounds, picnic spots, and a boardwalk and lookout.

Yellagonga Regional Park is easily accessible by car and public transport. It is serviced by five train stations on the Joondalup line: Greenwood, Edgewater, Currambine, Joondalup and Whitfords.

Learning about bushland

There are a number of significant flora species and vegetation communities that exist within the City’s remnant bushland areas including the Banksia Woodlands threatened ecological community, mature Eucalyptus trees and a variety of shrub-lands and herbaceous species that provide habitat for nectar feeding birds and important invertebrates like the Graceful Sun Moth.

A range of other important native wildlife like the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo and Quenda (native marsupial) use these bushland areas for habitat purposes, such as foraging on local plants and sheltering from potential predators.

To learn more about your local bushland areas: