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Kalgoorlie’s Arboretum will be significantly upgraded under a new landcare
initiative between a major mining operation and the State Government.
Kalgoorlie’s Arboretum will be significantly upgraded under a new landcare
initiative between a major mining operation and the State Government.
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today said that North Limited’s
Kanowna Belle Gold Mines and the Department of Conservation and Land Management
would carry out the work with funding through the Landcare Foundation which
was sponsored by North Limited.
Mrs Edwardes said the Kalgoorlie Arboretum Community Action Project
was a partnership in which the companies and CALM were working together
to care for the environment.
"The arboretum is a popular reserve in the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder
which offers a wide range of activities," she said.
"Visitor numbers have increased from 28,000 in 1990 to 60,000 in 1996
and the sponsorship project will greatly enhance the facilities to allow
more recreational and educational use as well as improving the facilities
and overall aesthetics of the reserve."
The project involves revegetating 13 ha of the 26 ha reserve with native
plant species, building a new carpark, providing access for people with
disabilities, realigning a dual use path and upgrading information and
interpretative signage.
The dual use path links sections of the recently constructed Gribble
Creek path through the Arboretum to provide a continuous path from Hannans
to Boulder.
The reserve, which is vested in the Lands and Forest Commission, was
established in 1954 as a gallery of the tree species of the semi arid zone
and desert areas.
Today it includes a wide variety of native plants including 60 species
of trees, remnant woodland, 65 bird species, interpretive walk trails,
recreational facilities and a small dam that attracts waterbirds and supplies
water to nearby Hammond Park.
Under the sponsorship arrangement, North Limited and the Landcare Foundation
will provide $73,000 over three years to fund the works that will be carried
out by CALM’s Goldfields region staff.
Kanowna Belle Gold Mines is a joint venture between North Gold WA Ltd,
a subsidiary of North Limited, and Delta Gold NL. The venture administers
gold mining and processing facilities at its production site 18 km north
of the city.
Mrs Edwardes said she welcomed the high level of commitment by Kanowna
Belle and North Ltd.
"The need to manage the conservation estate, and the increased expectations
of the community in regard to environmental issues is not something that
can be achieved through Government funding alone," she said.
"Kanowna Belle’s sponsorship of the Arboretum means that a tremendous
project that otherwise would not be funded through CALM’s budget, can now
be come a reality."
Mrs Edwardes said the sponsorship arrangement was a further example
of partnerships between the mining sector and CALM that were having a significant
impact on conservation, particularly in inland areas.
"CALM and several mining companies have signed memoranda of understanding
which enable nature conservation initiatives to be extended beyond the
boundaries of existing conservation reserves," she said.
"The companies benefit through closer co-operation with CALM in dealing
with issues such as declared rare flora, fox and feral cat control, fencing,
and fire management."
Media contacts:
Ministerial Diana Russell Coote (08) 9421 7777
CALM Ian Kealley (08) 9021 2677 |
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