City of Mandurah - Council Program

Through extensive community engagement, the City of Mandurah developed its Environment Strategy 2023 - 2033, setting Mandurah's environmental vision for the future across a broad range of priorities. 

Considered a Global Biodiversity Hotspot, 50 percent of the plants and 13 percent of the animals in the Peel region aren’t found anywhere else in the world. Mandurah residents were clear that their local environment needs to be nurtured and protected for future generations.

The Strategy, released in December 2023, was developed in close collaboration with environmental groups, local Bindjareb leaders, City employees, Elected Members, and the broader community to shape a shared vision that reflects the connection to, and aspirations for, the natural environment.

Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams said a series of programs and initiatives to protect the local environment were being delivered as part of the City’s 10-year Environment Strategy, and the Platinum Waterwise Council award was well-deserved recognition of efforts in the water-saving space.

"We know that a healthy, protected local environment is a huge priority for our community, and critical to the wellbeing of future generations, so we’re taking steps to create sustainable, liveable green spaces for all to enjoy,” Mayor Williams said.

"Our milestone Environment Strategy lays out a clear direction and priorities for the future as we aim to walk softly on our land and give nature a seat at the table. One of the ways we do this is by using the best waterwise practise throughout our facilities and public spaces to make the best of our varied water sources.

"We also have a big focus on encouraging our community to be waterwise and help to improve Mandurah's water quality, both at home and at local open spaces.

"Using our precious water resources efficiently and wisely is something we can all be part of." 

City of Mandurah's Kangaroo Paw Park.

Mandurah’s Kangaroo Paw Park was an old, under-utilised park. It was decided that by redesigning and upgrading the facilities, the park could be made more inclusive, protect remnant bushland, provide water savings and allow for better community connections with nature.

After engaging with residents, the park was designed to meet the community’s needs. The park’s natural environment was enhanced through tree retention and new plantings, plus shelter, improved sight lines into the park, a drink fountain and better access for people with mobility issues made the park more user friendly.

Garden beds at Kangaroo Paw Park were hydro-zoned to reduce water use and a bore was drilled for irrigation from the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) recycled water project.

The MAR includes the Water Corporation's Gordon Road Water Resources Recovery Facility (WRRF), infiltrating almost 4GL (4 billion litres) of treated water into the ground each year, twice as much as North Mandurah’s irrigation requirements. This ongoing MAR has provided a sustainable water supply for existing and recently developed parks.

The City of Mandurah has 20 urban lakes which filter stormwater, as part of Water Sensitive Urban Design Development, and over the years these lakes have become naturalised by providing habitat and fresh water for wildlife.

The City’s ongoing lake monitoring program identified trends that water quality was declining in five of these urban lakes, due to catchment nutrients, which impacted the function of these lakes.

The City held ‘Love Our Lakes’ workshops which were designed to educate and gain the support of residents by explaining how excess nutrients within the catchment impacts the health of an urban lake and how the community can help to improve the lakes’ overall water quality. At the workshops, residents planted 400 rushes across two lakes. More winter workshops are planned to take advantage of the best planting time and to gain more community support.

The City’s centralised digital metering system provides an in-depth analysis of water use. The cost-effective system, developed in-house, provides data on over 40 scheme, ground and alternative use water meters to support the City's operations and water management goals. The digital metering system will continue to expand, as decision making around water use is now informed by reporting, trend analysis and leak alerts.

Tree planting at Kangaroo Paw Park.

What's being done now? 

Work continues by delivering the projects outlined in the Environment Strategy. The City is working hard to ensure it protects threatened flora and fauna species in the region, plus research partnerships are enhancing the understanding of the natural environment. The City and its partners are also undertaking other novel approaches to protect and support wildlife including nesting fairy terns, a possum rope bridge, and a cockatoo watering station.

The City continues to improve community engagement through the learnings from the Love Our Lakes workshops, plus continues to engage with community groups and collaborate with local schools with the aim of increasing participation and education opportunities. This will allow the Love Our Lakes program to expand and improve the water quality of more urban lakes.

Managed Aquifer Recharge water recycling for public open space, construction projects and the environment will remain a key focus for the City's future fit-for-purpose water supplies to these important community spaces. 

Yindana Lake.