Property guidelines to protect native vegetation in Australia's Southwest

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Alongside being drought tolerant and thus better suited to many Aussie backyards, Australian native plants also happen to have a special presence to them. For many of us, these plants make us feel at home and remind us of the unique beauty in this part of the world.

But plants introduced from other parts of the world have threatened a lot of native species, and are a large contributing factor to their endangerment. Protecting our native flora requires a multipronged venture – in other words, it involves each of us doing our part. We can do so in the way we structure our homes to foster their growth, and much of this can be achieved through strategic property design and landscaping, including fire management and investing in suitable fencing for your Perth property.

In this article, we’ll explain how to account for the ideal circumstances for native plants and explore how to achieve them so you can develop a property that helps its environment thrive.

Importance of native vegetation in Australia’s Southwest

Australian native vegetation leaves its gorgeous mark on the southwest region of the country. From forest trees lining Caves Road to the Grass Trees that never cease to amaze us, they’re an important pillar of the culture of the region, as well as to the wider ecosystem that makes up a quarter of Australia as a whole.

In recent times, however, human intervention has led to the displacement and endangerment of several unique animal and plant species, meaning that the conservation of these natives is integral to sustaining the unique botanical landscape and preserving it for future generations.

Current threats to native vegetation

There are three main threats to the native vegetation of Australia’s South West: land clearing, the introduction of invasive species and climate change. Urban expansion and forestry have disrupted the natural growing patterns of native vegetation, leading to fractures in the wider ecosystem, which has led to the displacement of native animals and insects.

The urban expansion of Australia’s major cities has also brought along the threat of domesticated animals. Whilst most people know the threat cats pose to wildlife, even dogs can be natural predators of nocturnal animals. Although it’s in our pets’ nature to hunt, failure to police the activities of domestic animals will undoubtedly lead to the displacement of native animals and the fragmentation of our urban habitats.

Legal guidelines and regulations

There are several regulating bodies with specific conservation and environmental protection legislation that serve to protect the native vegetation of Australia’s southwest. Consulting these resources can help outline the changes that you can make to your property.

There are ways to adapt and adhere to these guidelines without sacrificing your usual routines. For example, if you have domesticated cats that yearn for the great outdoors, consider building a catio to give them that extra stimulation whilst also keeping our wildlife safe. If you’re a garden enthusiast, consider looking into adding some native banksia to your arsenal to encourage visits from birds and native insects and introduce more colour to your yard.

Best practices for property owners

Below are some helpful tips for structuring your own native vegetation management plan to nurture growth and health in your own backyard, contributing to the wider conservation of Margaret River’s unique natural environment.

Install secure fencing

If you manage livestock or have neighbours who do, it’s a great idea to introduce fencing that separates livestock from native plants. This will avoid the grazing of native species and animals interfering with plant growth while enabling both aspects of your property to coexist harmoniously.

Keeping your property boundary well-defined with quality fencing solutions can naturally also help protect native plants that have been cultivated on your land. For regional homeowners who live on larger land plots that include or border on forested areas, maintaining robust boundary fencing for your Greater Perth or outer Margaret River properties is absolutely essential.

Controlling invasive species

Try to stay informed of different invasive species of plants, insects and animals. Common examples in the southwest include pokeweed, the brown marmorated stink bug and the red fox. The most effective way to manage these threats is to report any potential sightings to your local council, or the Department of Agriculture and Food.

Fire management

Fire management should be a part of any existing backyard maintenance strategy. Properly disposing of dead leaves and other natural detritus that could act as a flame accelerator, making sure grass is cut to a manageable level and keeping your plants hydrated with enough access to water during the dry and hot months are integral to fire management.

If you have an area of your land that grows weeds or plants rapidly, you can consider reworking this space. You can remove the roots from this area and install a permanent patio setting, for example, using something like Trex composite decking which requires very little maintenance and is less flammable than wood.

Minimising land clearing

Sometimes land clearing is necessary. Whether it is for building expansion, or landscaping changes due to environmental factors, it is important that land clearing is done in a sustainable way that allows the development to be established without excessive clearing. There will likely be some native vegetation that will need to be cleared to help prosper its growth and we’d recommend consulting with a landscaper for bigger jobs that may disrupt the native ecosystem.

Replanting and reintroduction

Beginning your own native oasis is a great way to give back to the ecosystem and protect the plants that keep Australia great. You can start small by planting some Anigozanthos wherever you see fit, or by incorporating a full garden replant that enhances biodiversity.

A future in bloom

Without being a born and raised green thumb, it’s not always easy to know what to do to help protect and defend the rich natural spoils of the region. There are many initiatives across the Southwest working hard to save our natural bushland. However, looking to your own backyard for the small changes you can make can have a big impact on conservation efforts to ensure the safety of our native vegetation for generations to come.