The City of Joondalup is home to both artificial and natural wetlands, with the conservation-significant wetlands of Yellagonga Regional Park serving as an example of the natural wetlands. Historically, wetlands covered extensive areas across the Perth metropolitan region, but many have been filled in over time to accommodate urban development.
Wetlands provide a home to a vast array of plants and animals, help to filter and clean water, and prevent flooding. The few wetlands that remain face increasing threats and can become degraded, so it is important that they are looked after and protected.
Yellagonga Regional Park
The most significant wetlands within the City are within the Yellagonga Regional Park, a 13km long chain of interconnected natural wetlands. Yellagonga Regional Park is one of seven Regional Parks within the Swan Coastal Plain.
The Yellagonga wetlands include four waterbodies: Lake Joondalup in the north and Lake Goollelal in the south, which are connected by Beenyup and Walluburnup Swamps. The four wetlands of the Yellagonga Regional Park are all connected with surface water flowing north from Lake Goollelal to Lake Joondalup.
Lake Joondalup is the largest remaining lake in the Perth metropolitan area and the Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands represent some of the last remaining freshwater systems in the Perth metropolitan area.
The Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands provide an important habitat for many plants and animals. They also reduce flood risk, filter and recharge water, and prevent soil erosion.
Natural and artificial wetlands
Natural wetlands
The City is home to several natural wetlands including Lake Yellagonga and Lake Goollelal. These wetlands have been preserved and provide key habitat to our local wildlife. Next time you take a walk around the City’s lakes keep an eye and ear out for how many animals call our natural wetlands home.
Artificial wetlands
The City has many artificial wetlands which have been created or modified natural wetlands to provide habitat connectivity throughout the City. Not only do these wetlands provide aesthetic values to the community but also additional habitat, foraging space, and nesting areas for the City’s waterbirds, amphibians, and turtles.
Caring for our wetlands
The City manages the Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands in partnership with the City of Wanneroo and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
The City maintains several artificial wetlands by implementing various measures, including weed control, litter removal, the reintroduction of native vegetation, and the use of aerators to enhance water quality.
To help care for our wetlands:
- Keep dogs on leads around wetlands and pick up dog waste, even if it is in the bushland.
- Leave birds and other wildlife to find their own food from nature. Feeding wildlife can make them sick and pollute the water.
- Keep your cats inside at night and within your property boundaries during the day.
- Stay on pathways to avoid trampling native vegetation.
- Not dump unwanted fish into wetlands.
- Plant locally native plants in your home garden to provide more habitat for native animals.
- Pick up litter from wetlands and bushland areas. Consider organising or participating in a Clean Up Australia Day event for your local natural area.
- Avoid or limit your use of chemicals, such as pesticides, fertilisers and herbicides, on your property. These may get washed off your property onto roads and into stormwater drains that can feed into wetlands. Alternatively, the chemicals can leak through the soil into groundwater, which moves into wetlands over time.
- Join a volunteer group that cares for local wetlands such as Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park or Woodvale Waters Friends of Beenyup Channel. These volunteer groups conserve the wetlands by removing weeds, replanting native vegetation, and hosting educational events. View Friends groups on the community directory.
Wetlands are under increasing pressure. Some of the threats to wetlands include:
- changed water levels
- weeds
- fire
- acid sulphate soils exposure
- plant diseases
- vandalism and rubbish dumping
- water pollution by chemicals and litter. Many stormwater drains on roads connect to underground pipes which flow into the wetlands. These drains can carry pollution such as fertilisers washed off home gardens, oil from cars, and rubbish, directly into wetlands
- habitat loss and fragmentation caused by clearing of native vegetation. In many areas, bushland has been cleared and replaced with houses, roads and grassed parks
- introduced animals, such as foxes, rabbits, domestic pets, feral fish and birds.
The Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands include rich and dynamic ecosystems ranging from upland forest, fringing vegetation, aquatic vegetation, and open water bodies. These ecosystems provide important habitat for many plants and animals. The park provides a home to many animals, including:
- Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos
- Western grey kangaroos
- Quenda (Southern Brown Bandicoot)
- Brushtail possums
- Echidnas
- Southwestern snake-necked turtles
- Rakali (water rat)
- Tiger snakes
- Six different species of frogs
- Over 120 bird species.
To view the City’swetland management plans visit the publications page.
Map of wetlands
View the map below to find local natural and artificial wetland areas.