Shenton Park Bushland

Statement of Significance

Shenton Bushland hns high aesthetic. scientific. social and rarity heritage significance. The bushland is recognised as a vital link between Kings Park and Bold Park bushland for certain species of birds. It is a line and increasingly rare example of urban bushland in a light industrial area. Diverse species of wildlife and a substantial area of Jarrah woodland give the bushland scientific and landscape distinction. Passive recreational usc includes visits by local residents and workers in the area who enjoy rhe tranquillity of the natural environment A concept plan for the bushland with community involvement aims at preserving the ecological integrity of the area while providing access to visitors.

Physical Description

The Shenton Bushland covers 2~.5 ha and is located in an established suburb in an area of institutional and light indnstrial usc. For many years the Bushland remained relatively unknown except by local residents and workers who enioyed the tranquillity of its natural environment Shenton Bushland is a remnant woodland vegetation comprised primarily of Jarrah and Banksias with a diverse undcrstorcv, TIle vegetation extends over land to be vested with the City of Nedlands as an 'A' class reserve and land vested with the Health Department known as the Sclby/Lcmnos Hospital Complex. Much of the vegetation is in good condition although disturbance to some areas, particularly adjacent to Lcmnos Street has resulted in the loss of vegetation structure lind species diversity and irs replacement with exotic weed species. The Bushlond is generally in good condition and contains an excellent example of the Jarrah-Banksia woodInnd. a vegetation community which has been largely lost to urban development in the Perth area. To date a total of 109 native plant species have been found within the Bushland as well as at least 25 bird species and a diverse reptile population. The bushland's strategic location halfway between Kings Park and Bold Park make the area irnportnnt as a habitat for bird species which move between these two large bushland areas.

History

There are DO recorded Aboriginal sites of either archaeological or ethnographic significance in the Shenton Bushland. Aboriginal people. however. would have almost certainly crossed the bushland and collected food. medicinal plants and hunted game in the vicinity. The Shenton Bushland has lillie history of significant European usage. The area has remained in its natural state and no buildings or developments involving large scale clearing of bushland have occurred in the area, Thc Australian Army WllS one of the first groups to lise the area as it is adjacent to the Irwin Barracks which were originally established mound the turn of the century. A map of the Bushland area from 1908 shows the Irwin Barracks as a 'Military' nrc... and a rifle range extending some L6 km along the full length of the western boundary of the Bushland. Lt is reported thnl during the Second World War School Anny Cadet units used the Lcmnos Hospital grounds and Bushland mens south-west. of the hospital for training (Captain Jenkins. pers. comm.). The Shenton Bushland. like much of the surrounding area. was destined for institutional use. Present surrounding land uses include military. dog home. cat home. Water Corporation Works Depot and hospital facilities. TIle Lcmnos Hospital is the oldest in the area and was originally built ln 1926 as a mental hospital. It catered for the shell-shocked servicemen returning from World War l To the north of the bushland was located Victoria Hospital, which was hlstoricall.y a quarantine infectious diseases hospital. This area became Hollywood Repatriation General Hospital and is now part of the Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital Due to the bushland's perceived lack of lise and ease of access from Lernnos Street the area was used for marry years as an informal and illegal dumping ground for garden lind builders' waste. Many car bodies were also abandoned In the area. Much of the rubbish has been recently removed in efforts by Ute community and Council to clean up the Bushland. A number of development proposals then followed. including residential. part residential, part light industrial/business and full light industrial development. The potential problem of odour from the Water Corporation's Shenton Park sewerage treatment works was identified by the EPA at this time and proposed residential subdivision was dropped in favour of light industrial uses. The City of Ncdlnnds had initially supported the rezoning of the Bushland. however, after representations from groups and residents concerned about the futnre of the area. the City of Nedlands changed its position to one opposing the rezoning The National Trust of Western Australia formally assessed and listed the bushland on its 'List of Classified Places'. The Trust recognised its major value as an area which forms part of a corridor between the two System Six areas of Kings Park and Bold Park. Shenton Bushland also contains a substantial area of jarrah woodland not present in the above System Six areas. The landscape and recreational values of the study area were also listed as significant by the National Trust In Mnrch 1992 a group of concerned local residents began a campaign to have the bushland retained for conservation and passive recreation purposes. This campaign involved a petition, letter writing. delegation and public meetings. II culminated in August 1993. when the newly elected Premier, Mr Richard Court, announced that the government would drop development plans and retain and vest the bushland in the City of Nedlnnds as a reserve for recreation and conservation. subject to the City of Nedlonds preparing a Management Plan for the area and committing itself to maintaining and rehabilitating the bushland. A Management Plan was compiled and released in June 1996

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