Southern and Canning River Confluence Foreshore Reserve

A four-year management plan is underway to restore the 10 hectares of foreshore between Burslem Drive Bridge and Corfield Street in Thornlie, where the Southern River meets the Canning River.

It is known as the Southern and Canning River Confluence Foreshore Reserve.

In 2021, the City commissioned Natural Area Holdings to conduct a detailed flora and fauna survey and prepare a foreshore management plan for the area. Detailed work plans have been developed guided by the management Plan.

The City received $257,050 in grant funding from the State of Western Australia in July 2022 with a further $354,790 received in January 2024 to support restoration works within the site over a period of three years.

The aims of the rehabilitation works are to reduce weed cover, increase diversity and cover of locally native plant species, provide habitat for native fauna, and improve bank stability to reduce erosion.

Invasive weed species have been controlled across the site, including Declared Species and Weeds of National Significance such as Arum Lily, and over 173,000 seedlings have been planted.

Weed control will be ongoing and a further 64,000 seedlings will be planted in winter 2024, and another 46,000 in winter 2025. The endangered Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, and Threatened Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos forage within the site and wider riverpark areas. Carters Freshwater Mussel has been recorded in the Canning River both upstream and downstream of the site, and Common Brushtail Possums, Southwestern Snake Necked Turtles, Quenda and a myriad of bird species also reside within the reserve.

The riverpark is Bush Forever and forms part of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Swan and Canning River Development Control Area. There is varied land tenure with areas managed by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, the City of Gosnells, with the river itself managed by the Swan River Trust. All agencies share the same vision for improving the site.

The foreshore reserve contains two vegetation types:

• Corymbia calophlla (Marri) Woodland: and
• Melaleuca rhaphiophylla (Swamp Paperbark) and Eucalyptus rudis (Flooded Gum) Woodland.

The Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group rehabilitated two sections of the site between 2016 and 2020, supported by funding from the State of Western Australia, and support from the City of Gosnells and the Western Australia Planning Commision. This agreement at the time was one of the first collaborative approached undertaken by all agencies and the success of the project shows the effectiveness of a collaborative approach.

Southern and Canning River Confluence Foreshore Management Plan 2021