Why are wetlands and watercourses important?

    Wetlands and waterways are important features of our natural environment. They provide a variety of hydrological, ecological and social functions, including:

    1. Flood protection by directing and storing stormwater
    2. Improvement of water quality through nutrient uptake and trapping of contaminants and sediment
    3. Water supplies for drinking, public purposes and agriculture
    4. Maintaining healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems, biodiversity and ecological connectivity for native fauna
    5. Opportunities for passive and active public recreation
    6. Amenity and sense of place
    7. Mental and physical wellbeing
    8. Aboriginal and cultural heritage
    9. Contributing to increased property values.

    What is the purpose of the Policy?

    The key objectives of this policy are to:

    1. Ensure sustainable long-term management of wetlands and waterways
    2. Provide clear guidance where development is proposed near a wetland or waterway including determination of buffer/ foreshore distances and guidance on permitted and prohibited activities within the buffer/ foreshore.
    3. Protect wetlands and waterways from impacts of development and enhance their hydrological, ecological, and social values
    4. Avoid increasing the risk of property damage in flood prone or flood risk areas
    5. Achieve improvement of water quality from the built environment for the benefit of the natural environment.

    How does the Policy relate to the City’s plans and strategies?

    The Policy aligns with, and balances the objectives of, the Kalamunda Advancing Strategic Community Plan to 2031Kalamunda Clean and Green Local Environment Strategy, Environmental Land Use Planning Strategy, and the Draft Local Biodiversity Strategy.

    How does this Policy apply?

    This Policy applies to all strategic planning, subdivision and development proposals, located within 50 m of a wetland or waterway, or with the potential to adversely impact a wetland or waterway.

    What is considered a “wetland” or “watercourse” under the Policy

    Under the Policy:

    • a wetland is defined as an area of seasonally, intermittently or permanently waterlogged or inundated land, whether natural or otherwise, and includes a lake, swamp, marsh, spring, dampland and sumplands. For the purpose of this Policy, wetlands do not include constructed dams.
    • a waterway is defined as; any river, creek, stream or brook, including its foreshore area or reserve, floodplain, estuary and inlet. This includes systems that flow permanently, for part of the year or occasionally; and parts of the waterway that have been artificially modified.

    These definitions are consistent with the Draft State Planning Policy 2.9- Planning for Water.

    How do I know is my property includes, or is located near, a wetland or waterway?

    Mapped wetlands can be viewed by following the two links below and selecting “Web mapping service” from the “Web Services & APIs” dropdown menu:

    Mapped waterways can be viewed by following the two links below and selecting “Web mapping service” from the “Web Services & APIs” dropdown menu:

    The City is in the process of adding these mapping layers to the public Intramaps mapping tool (https://maps.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/intramaps98/). 

    I want to develop near a wetland, how will the Policy apply to me?

    Most wetlands have been assigned a management category by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and/ or Department of Water and Environment Regulation (DWER). Dependant on the management category of the wetland, a 30 metre or 50 metre buffer will need to be established between the wetland and development to protect the values of the wetland (this excludes “Multiple Use” wetland management categories, which can usually be developed).

    If the proposed development has the potential to impact on the values of the wetland, additional management measures may apply, at the discretion of the City of Kalamunda and DBCA. These measures may include but are not limited to rehabilitation of the wetland buffer.

    Within the wetland buffer, certain activities are permitted, and others are prohibited (see next FAQ).

    I want to develop near a waterway, how will the Policy apply to me?

    A site-specific assessment of the waterway values will need to be undertaken by a suitably qualified professional, to determine an appropriate foreshore width. The foreshore area is required to protect the values of the waterway from development and associated activities.

    If the proposed development has the potential to impact on the values of the waterway, additional management measures may apply, at the discretion of the City of Kalamunda, DBCA and/ or DWER. These measures may include but are not limited to rehabilitation of the wetland buffer.

    Within the waterway foreshore, certain activities are permitted, and others are prohibited (see next FAQ).

    I have a mapped watercourse on my property with very limited value, is a foreshore still required?

    The draft Policy proposes a minimum foreshore width of 15 metres, measured each side of the waterway, extending outwards from the high-water line.

    The City will consider the particular circumstances of the proposal and the value of the waterway, and advise whether this applies.

    What activities are permitted within a wetland buffer or waterway foreshore?

    Permissible activities or actions as part of, or as a result of, development proposals within the waterway foreshore include:

    • Rehabilitation of disturbed areas, including vegetation restoration, weed control and erosion control measures
    • Retention of all native vegetation 
    • Passive recreation such as footpaths, where native vegetation is not adversely impacted
    • Conservation fencing and gates to controlled undesired access

    What activities are prohibited within a wetland buffer or waterway foreshore?

    Prohibited activities or actions as part of, or as a result of, development proposals within the waterway foreshore include: 

    • Filling or excavation of the waterway or foreshore area 
    • Fertiliser or chemical application 
    • Drainage into or out of the waterway 
    • Stormwater infrastructure, such as drainage basins 
    • Groundwater or surface water abstraction 
    • Liquid or solid waste disposal

    The City may approve prohibited land uses and/or activities within the waterway foreshore where it can be demonstrated by the proponent that the land use and/or activity will not have a detrimental impact to the hydrological, ecological and social values of the waterway

    How can I have my say on the Draft Policy?

    The community’s feedback, particularly during this advertising period, is imperative as it will guide the final development of the Policy.

    You may make a submission by:

    1. Online (here): engage.kalamunda.wa.gov.au

      By Post: PO Box 42, Kalamunda, WA 6926.

      In Person: 2 Railway Road, Kalamunda WA 6076

      By Email: enquiries@Kalamunda.wa.gov.au

    What happens next?

    The draft LPP34 Wetlands and Waterways document is open for feedback. 

    See our LPP34 Project home page for closing date/time. 

    If you lodge a submission, the City will consider and respond to the comments received, and whether this should result in modifications to the Policy. 

    A report will be presented to the Council, including a list of all submissions (with the details of submitters remaining confidential) and responses to submissions. The Council will then decide on whether to adopt the Policy and any modifications. 

    Who can I contact if I have further questions?

    Please contact the City of Kalamunda Strategic Planning Services during office hours on 9257 9999 or email enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au