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Point Fraser
The Point Fraser public recreation reserve has won the City of Perth acclaim for its demonstration of water sensitive urban design (WSUD).
Completed in 2006 in consultation with Syrinx Environmental PL, Point Fraser is now much enjoyed by the wider Perth community, and has quickly become a hub for riverside recreational activity.
Point Fraser is 6.13 hectares in area, and is located along a scenic stretch of the Swan River foreshore at the eastern gateway to the City of Perth.
Some of the features and amenities to be enjoyed at Point Fraser include:
- A wetland to treat stormwater from an urban catchment prior to its discharge to the Swan River
- Vegetated swales (i.e. shallow linear depressions) to infiltrate and treat stormwater originating on site (e.g. run-off from paved surfaces)
- A raised and folded landscape to create interest and to mitigate flooding
- Natural rehabilitation of the river edge to characterise the area prior to colonisation
- Restoration of the original indigenous dryland and wetland flora of the area
- A range of innovative furniture (i.e. seating, signage, drinking fountains, barbecues, litter bins) and lighting
- A children’s playscape, including a swing for users of wheel chairs (Note: Use of the swing is not currently available)
- Car, coach, motorcycle and bicycle parking facilities (requires payment of a fee)
Environment, cultural and historical interpretative trails and accompanying brochures have been developed for Point Fraser. These will be soon be available for download in PDF format.
Award-winning
The Point Fraser project has received several awards for its contribution to environmental and urban design excellence.
Wetlands
The Point Fraser wetland receives stormwater runoff from an 18 hectare catchment within the Perth CBD. Previously this stormwater formerly flowed untreated, directly into the Swan River and consequently elevated nutrient and metal levels were contributing to algal problems and contaminant loading the middle estuary. The high velocity stormwater entering the Swan River through drains also contributed to sediment erosion and instability of the foreshore and riverbed.
The site treats off-site and on-site stormwater in a series of innovative wetlands, vegetated swales and vegetated car bays.
The wetland has three distinct treatment zones:
- Zone 1 is a shallow permanent water pond designed to promoted sedimentation, and enable UV treatment via sunlight.
- Zone 2 is an ephemeral zone having dense and diverse endemeic wetland vegetation, biological treatment, including nitrification and denitrification and biological degradation occur in this zone.
- Zone 3 is a tidal zone with estuarine vegetation species. Water flowing through this zone is aerated and there is additional biological uptake of pollutants and nutrients from the stormwater prior to discharge to the River.
Monitoring is undertaken at Point Fraser to evaluate the performance of the wetland. Findings to date are:
- The removal of nitrogen (in particular ammonium nitrogen) exceeded modelled and typical wetland removal rates (57% for Total Nitrogen and 97% for Ammonium Nitrogen)
- The removal of phosphorous was also high, and much higher than typical performance data (66-71%).
- Nutrients levels in sediments have reduced overtime most probably as a result of system maturation and uptake by wetland vegetation.
Monitoring data showed that plants play a significant role in the removal of both macronutrients and micro nutrients.
For further technical information on the Point Fraser wetland please contact Jackie Nichol, Principal Environment Coordinator on 9461 3824.
Guided Tours
Educational group tours of Point Fraser can be organised through the City of Perth. Tours will look at the history of the Point Fraser area, the stormwater management and ecological functions of the wetlands, and the challenges faced during its development.
If you are interested in booking a tour please see details below. Requests for tours should be made at least 14 days prior to the proposed tour date. It is recommended that bookings be made as early as possible, as the availability of tours is not guaranteed.
Tour Request Form
An online tour request form is currently being developed.
To arrange a tour, or for further information, please contact Jackie Nichol, Principal Environment Coordinator on 9461 3824.
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