Download Roe 8 Fact Sheet 1 - WETLANDS 5 July2011

Save Beeliar Wetlands
Factsheet 1 of 4
A Wetland Worth Saving
The planned extension of Roe Highway known as ‘Roe 8’ will
wreak irrevocable damage to the Beeliar Wetlands, an urban
sanctuary of great ecological significance and heritage value.
The Beeliar Wetlands are the most significant site of Aboriginal heritage in
Perth, south of the Swan River. Waugal, Firestick and Spirit Children Dreaming
stories are integral to this site. Roe 8 will desecrate this heritage.
Beeliar Wetlands, a network of wetlands that includes North Lake, Bibra Lake
and Roe Swamp, are also a sanctuary for wildlife, showcasing outstanding
biodiversity, including rare native species and migratory wading birds.
The Environmental Protection Authority has argued that any road alignment
through this area should be rejected as it would sever linkages between the
wetlands, resulting in serious biodiversity impacts. Already 80 per cent of the
wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain have been destroyed.
The rare and endangered species
threatened by Roe 8 include:
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo
Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
Southern Brown Bandicoot
Graceful Sun Moth
Lined Skink
Peregrine Falcon
Spotless Crake
Buff-Banded Rail
King Spider Orchid
Wetland vegetation on the Swan Coastal Plain is being lost or
degraded at the rate two football ovals per day.1
Biodiversity Under Threat
There are nine distinct ecological communities on the site, including Banksia
attenuata woodland which is listed as “Endangered” under the Federal
Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Roe Swamp, a breeding ground and habitat for several endangered species,
will be significantly degraded by the project. Recent studies recorded 198
fauna species in the area. 177 species of native birds are likely to be present.
Migratory wading birds like greenshanks, dotterels, red-necked stints, plovers
and sharp-tailed sandpipers are often sighted in the area. Bilateral agreements
with China, Japan and South Korea help protect these international frequent
flyers.
1. EPA (2007) State of the Environment Report 2007: Section 4.3: Loss or Degradation of Wetlands, http://
www.soe.wa.gov.au/report/inland-waters/loss-or-degradation-of-wetlands.html
What is Roe 8?
The Barnett-Grylls State Government
plans to extend Roe Highway from
the Kwinana Freeway to Stock Road.
This would irrevocably damage the
Beeliar Wetlands between North and
Bibra Lakes.
Severing Connectivity
Quendas, lizards, frogs and turtles will not be able to safely cross this highway;
nor will swans, who walk their cygnets from North Lake to Bibra Lake to stay
until they can fly. Quendas, like many native animals, are too timid to pass
under bridges or through fauna underpasses which leave them vulnerable to
predators. Each wetland’s ecological community relies on water flow between
the neighbouring wetlands. A bridge design would still affect connectivity and
inhibit plant growth. Connectivity is critical and cannot be maintained with any
Roe 8 option.
Polluting the Wetlands
On average 60,000 trucks and cars might
use Roe 8 daily. Despite the proposed
drains, oil, diesel particulates and heavy
metals would build up over decades,
affecting every species using the wetland.
A single accident like a fuel truck
overturning, would pollute groundwater
and devastate the wetlands.
Acid-Sulphate Soils
The Roe 8 project would invade high-risk
acid sulphate soil areas. Once disturbed
by road and bridge building these soils
become acidic - causing serious
environmental and health impacts. Runoff
from these soils can potentially kill aquatic
life in the surrounding water, requiring
complex and expensive remediation.
Government protection
for the Beeliar wetlands
Bush Forever site 244
CALM Class A Reserve
The Beeliar Regional Park Strategy
Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal
Plain) Lakes Policy 1992
Wetlands Conservation Policy for WA (1997)
Wildlife Conservation Act (1950)
Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act (1999)
Wetlands Position Statement (2001)
Regulatory Impact Assessment: Revised
Draft Swan Coastal Plain Wetlands
Environmental Protection Policy (2004)
Interim Register of the National Estate of
the Australian Government Heritage
Commission
China Australia Migratory Birds Agreement
(CAMBA)
Japan Australia Migratory Birds Agreement
(JAMBA)
South Korea Australia Migratory Birds
Agreement (ROKAMBA)
Groups who want to
protect Beeliar Wetlands
from Roe 8
 The National Trust of Australia (WA)
 The Metropolitan Commission of









Aboriginal Elders
The Wetlands Conservation Society
WWF
Cockatoo Coalition
Save Beeliar Wetlands Group
The North Lake Residents Association
The WA Conservation Council
The Wilderness Society
The ALP
The Greens
Why we oppose Roe 8
Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo
 Roe 8 will wreak irrevocable
damage to these wetlands of
great ecological significance and
heritage value.
 Roe 8 will not improve access to
the ports or our freight network.
Roe 8 is a road to nowhere.
 Roe 8 will not solve our freight or
passenger transport problems –
only compound them.
 Roe 8 is a waste of millions of
dollars desperately needed
elsewhere.
These beautiful birds feed in the North
Lake Reserve. 78 hectares of their habitat
will be cleared for this road. They are
endangered after having their numbers
halved in the past 40 years — due
primarily to land clearing. The future of
this species is at stake.
Authorised by
Save the Wetlands
Take action, make a submission to the Public
Environmental Review by 12 Sept 2011.
Visit these websites for more information:
Lynn MacLaren MLC
savebeeliarwetlands.com
ntwa.com.au
southmetroconnect.com.au
epa.wa.gov.au
Member for South Metropolitan Region
www.lynnmaclaren.org.au
phone (08) 9430 7233
Printed by The Environmental Printing Company
305a Railway Parade, Maylands