Lake Gnangara

Statement of Significance

Lake Gnangara site has considerable historic significance for plantation associates, civil works and recreational activities on the lake and foreshore. Aboriginal cultural heritage significance is recognised under different legislation. Refer to DPLH ACHIS.

Physical Description

Lake Gnangara is the most southerly lake of the of the Wanneroo wetlands. It is located on the Gnangara Mound and adjacent to the Pinaster plantation lots. The surrounding terrain consists of low dunes and undulating sand plains.

History

The word ‘Gnangara’ is derived from the Aboriginal word Knangara, possibly meaning ‘swampy’ or ‘spring’ as water flows into the lake from its north-west corner. Alternatively, the name may derive from the Noongar word Ngangka, which variously means sun, mother, or thumb. Significant site for Aboriginal cultural heritage, including mythology, artefacts scatters, food sources, and camping area. The lake is fed by ground water of the Gnangara Mound. Gnangara was the first of the plantation blocks to be established on the sand plains north of Perth, and is named after the nearby Lake Gnangara. A number of trial plots were cleared and planted with Pinaster raised in nurseries or direct sown with seed. George Leach (1883-1972) was the son of early settler George Leach-Loftus (1858- 1916) and Emma (nee Bufton) (1863-1952). George Leach-Loftus migrated from England in 1878 and established a timber pit sawing business at Lake Gnangara. He had received a Crown grant. He successfully secured contracts with the Perth District Road Board to supply fencing and jarrah blocks for road building. Charles Leach’s son Ron established a sand mining business and had mineral claims in Gnangara Lake from 1943 until the 1980s. The Wembley Ware collection, produced between 1946 and 1961 in Perth by H.L Brisbane and Wunderlich Ltd, used the sands from Gnangara Lake due to their high levels of purity in silica. Sir Henry Lefroy said it had been found that some of the sand was almost the best in the world for glass making. The lake surroundings were the site of a long term Nyoongar (sic) camp. In the 1970s, it was a place of recreation including swimming, picnics, boating, and power boat water skiing. The Gnangara groundwater system is Perth's largest natural water source for drinking water and private supply and supports our wetlands, bushland and large urban trees. Climate change is impacting the Gnangara system and the ecosystems it supports. Climate variability and lower rainfall has resulted in lower recharge of the Gnangara Mound, declining water table levels, and less groundwater.

Condition

poor

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update