REGENERATING OUR OWN KING'S PARK

The area of A-Class reserves lies at the northern approach to Margaret River on the western side of Bussell Highway and south of Carters Road, and extends across the bridge to an area adjacent to the new pumping station opposite the Shell Roadhouse.

WE USE VOLUNTEER WORKERS BECAUSE We cherish the passion and dedication they bring to projects. We acknowledge the breadth and depth of experience and skills they possess. We enjoy the companionship of people drawn together by common interests regardless of race, creed, age, sex or occupation. We salute the value (monetary and intangible) of the labour they provide. We benefit from their fresh ideas, different approaches and lateral thinking. We salute their willingness to learn and to teach so that the value of the passion, the skills, the companionship and the sharing continues to build our community and enhance our environment. Our youngest active volunteer is six years old.  Our oldest is eighty something. WE WELCOME YOU!!!

It includes a stretch of the river with a wide meander and rapids over which a footbridge has been constructed. A tied lake or partial billabong area of slack water is situated at the southern end.

It also adjoins the main traffic bridge and highway into the town.   The area adjacent to the river shows signs of seasonal inundation in some places and is typical river wetland.

The actual banks of the river appear to be in good condition with a healthy margin of native flora, even in otherwise degraded areas, and with no significant erosion problems. The main path follows the old road on the eastern side where the area of greatest weed invasion has occurred.

To the north and west the laterite ridge rises quite steeply to produce areas of sclerophyll forest predominated by eucalypt and acacia species. This area has a wide diversity of understorey and is, in places, in near pristine condition.

Pockets of pittosporum forest are the major concern as other weeds are mainly concentrated along path margins and need only careful hand weeding. Suitable walk trails have been constructed through this area and require minimum maintenance except in one area where a sloping path is causing gully erosion.

The area south and west of the town bridge is an area of serious degradation, weed spread and run-off pollution. It is not a suitable regeneration site.

It is also the sink into which storm-water drainage and road run-off is channelled.   Weed invasion reaches back into the "slack-water" area.

Ann Matei
Bush regenerator
January 2001