Beeliar Wetlands (Western Australia)

The Beeliar Wetlands are made up of two chains of lakes and wetlands that run parallel to the west coast of Western Australia. They are situated on the coastal plan between the Darling Escarpment and the Indian Ocean. The name "Beeliar" was the name given to the area by the Aboriginal people that lived and hunted in the area. cite book
last = Nevill
first = Simon
author = Simon Nevill
title = Travellers guide to the Parks and Reserves of Western Australia
publisher = Simon Nevill Publications
date = 2001ISBN 09585367-1-6]

The first chain of lakes and wetlands lies about 1-3km inland from the Indian Ocean. The lakes in this chain are mostly saline and often described as 'seasonal' because they often dry up during summer months. The second chain is situated a further 6-8km inland and includes several large perennial freshwater lakes. The Beeliar Wetlands is located in the southwest portion of the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia. The northern-most point is located in the suburb of Mount Pleasant just south of the Swan River. The wetlands stretch some 25 kilometres south to the suburb of Baldivis.

The wetlands have been identified as supporting native flora and fauna and vital to maintaining the biodiversity of the region. Located in and surrounded as they are by encroaching suburbs in the metropolitan area of a rapidly expanding city the wetlands are under threat from development. The government of the State of Western Australia has incorporated the remnants of the wetlands including some 19 lakes and numerous other wetlands into the "Beeliar Regional Park" managed by it's Department of Environment and Conservation. The park comprises a number of separate portions and is not one continuous expanse of land.

References