Benger wildlife funding available to landowners

Landholders between Benger Swamp, Wellesley River and Kemerton Wetlands who are interested in undertaking fencing, re-vegetation and natural regeneration for conservation purposes.

The Leschenault Catchment Council have received $175,000 to undertake works to restore habitat across the project area, which has been fragmented by clearing and altered drainage for agriculture.

The project will provide opportunities to extend plantings around Benger Swamp as well as re-vegetation and regeneration to new sites in Kemerton Wetlands.

The Catchment Council are also undertaking environmental weed control along the Wellesley River to manage infestations of Narrow-leafed Cotton Bush, Arum Lily and Watsonia.

This area is under significant threat from pressures including weeds, feral pigs and the loss of habitat for significant native species such as the White-tailed and Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, Australasian Bittern, Chuditch, Freckled Duck, Carter’s Freshwater Mussel and Black Stripe Minnow.

Conservation works are critical in the protection of the migratory and endemic native species that rely on the project area for survival, many of which are listed nationally under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Landholders wanting to know if they are eligible can contact Julie Palmer LCC Project Officer (08) 9726 4131 julie.palmer@water.wa.gov.au