FAQs

The program is aimed at private landholders with priority or significant conservation value bushland, wetlands and watercourses on their property or where a link can be created between these areas.

Landowners whose properties are zoned as Special Residential, Rural Living or Rural (under the City of Armadale’s Town Planning Scheme No. 4) and contain or are adjacent to priority conservation value bushland, wetlands and watercourses, will be eligible to receive native seedlings and ongoing support around the development and implementation of revegetation and habitat creation projects.

If you would like to discuss your eligibility, please get in contact via email at habitatlinks@armadale.wa.gov.au or phone (08) 9394 5000 and request to speak to someone about Habitat Links.

Expressions of interest and any queries can be made via the survey below, via email to habitatlinks@armadale.wa.gov.au, or by calling (08) 9394 5000 and requesting to speak to someone about Habitat Links.

Planning and implementing revegetation projects and habitat creation projects takes some preparation and knowledge to achieve success. The City of Armadale will provide you with:

a) a site assessment to determine where, when and how you should implement your project

b) native seedlings that are most likely to establish in your soil and landscape conditions

c) on-going technical advice around planting, weed control, feral animal control, and other environmental management strategies

Native seedlings are well adapted and grown in specialised nurseries specifically for the soil and climate conditions that occur naturally on your property. By selecting the right species, planting the species correctly while the soils are wet (generally June, July or August) and understanding that not all the seedlings will survive, you should find that you don’t need to irrigate.

Of course, the occasional watering over the first couple of summers will increase the survival rate, but is generally not considered necessary to achieve success.

You will need to ensure that herbivorous livestock and pets such as sheep, cattle and horses are kept away from your project site by fencing them out. Protecting seedlings from kangaroo and rabbit predation can be challenging, but you can have success by protecting your seedlings with tree guards (small, transparent plastic covers which allow sunlight in but keep the seedling safe) if this is an issue on your property.

Clearing native vegetation is an offence, unless done in accordance with a clearing permit or an exemption applies under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Under this legislation, clearing is not generally permitted where the biodiversity values, land conservation and water protection roles of native vegetation would be adversely impacted. Contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to check if a clearing permit is required.

The City of Armadale’s Town Planning Scheme 4 protects native vegetation on private property and the clearing of vegetation may need the Development Approval of the City of Armadale. It is recommended you contact the City of Armadale’s Environment department before removing any native vegetation on your property in case approval is required under the City of Armadale’s Town Planning Scheme No. 4.

Natural areas not under private ownership may be vested in one of a number of government agencies whom have responsibility for managing the land. Some reserves within the City of Armadale are managed by the City directly, others are managed by agencies such as the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions or the Western Australian Planning Commission. Contact the City of Armadale if you need help finding out who manages a particular reserve.

There are restrictions on clearing native vegetation in a number of different land zonings under Town Planning Scheme 4. You should contact the City of Armadale Planning Department for specific advice relevant to your zone.

There is also a requirement for a permit to clear native vegetation under the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation can provide further advice with regards to your property.

Further restrictions on clearing native vegetation can apply under the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Phytophthora Dieback refers to the introduced plant pathogen Phytophora cinnamomi which is causing devastating impacts in our native forests. It attacks a range of native and introduced plant species causing damage to the roots which often leads to the death of the infected plant unless treatment is applied. It is spread by surface and ground-water movement as well as the direct movement of contaminated soil on vehicle tyres, footwear, earthmoving or the feet of animals.

For more information around managing Phytophthora Dieback visit the Dieback Working Group Inc website - https://www.dwg.org.au/.

You can treat infected trees by injecting or foliar spraying leaves with a chemical called phosphite. Kits can be hired from the Roleystone Hardware store or you can contact the Roleybushcare group to learn how to sue the injection equipment and borrow equipment to treat trees on your property.

All projects undertaken as part of the Habitat Links program need to comply with all relevant bushfire risk management legislation and regulations, including the maintenance of fire breaks on your property and asset protection zones around your house or other building infrastructure.

Ensuring compliance with bushfire legislation and regulations is the responsibility of the landowner. For more information visit the City of Armadale’s Fire and emergency management page.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services also provides lots of great advice around bushfire safety including general information around Building Protection Zones.  

All watercourses, including those entirely on private property, are invested in the Crown or Local Government Authority. This is covered under section 5A of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914.

Weed management and planting native seedlings along a watercourse does not require formal permission if it is on your property and will not physically change the flow of water or affect existing native vegetation.

If you intend to remove, damage or alter existing native vegetation you will need to seek permission, contact the City of Armadale.

For any actions that may cause watercourse disturbance or any other works near a watercourse you will require permission from the City of Armadale or other relevant government management authority. Contact the City of Armadale to discuss any works on or around a watercourse you may want to undertake.

Pumping water from a watercourse not only reduces the flow and availability of water for wildlife, groundwater replenishment and other environmental needs, it also affects how much water is available to properties downstream.

In a proclaimed area, a riparian landowner can pump water from a watercourse in accordance with their license. The Canning River channel and Stinton Creek is a proclaimed area under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. It is illegal to take water from a proclaimed watercourse or groundwater aquifer without a license.

In an unproclaimed area, a riparian landowner may be able to pump water without a license so long as the flow is not "sensibly" diminished, affecting the rights of downstream users. The City recommend that you contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s water licensing branch on 1800 508 885 prior to taking water from any watercourse.

The construction of a dam on your property will likely affect water flows into surrounding properties and reserves as well as groundwater replenishment and therefore requires Development Approval from the City of Armadale, along with other potential approvals from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

Contact the City of Armadale for more information.