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Friends of Clontarf Hill

Introduction

European History

Climate

Location

Access

Ownership & Vesting

Geology/Soils

Flora

Preliminary Native Plant List

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Fauna

Birds Seen at Clontarf Hill

Reptiles

Landscapes

Social, Recreational and Educational Values

IDENTIFIED VALUES

Conservation

Scientific

Educational

Recreational

Regional

Social

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Current Management

Management Problems

Management Needs

Parkland Proposal

Process of Retention

Community Involvement

Introduction:

Clontarf Hill is a limestone and sand hillock that rises to 39.8m above sea level. The views afforded are the Indian Ocean and offshore islands as well as coastal views north and south. The hill itself and the surrounding bushland corridor comprise a??? hectare area and are part of a system of such hillocks that run in a north/south direction from Fremantle through Spearwood approximately 1.5 km inland.

Clontarf Hill is unique in that it is perhaps the only remaining high point at the southern end of the Fremantle area and has not yet been heavily impacted upon by humans.

Following is an outline the area's physical and biological attributes. Friends of Clontarf Hill hope that a decision will be made to retain and rehabilitate Clontarf Hill and the adjacent bushland corridor as a unique park that will form an integral part of the local and regional open space system.

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European History The European history of the reserve dates back to 1829 when settlement of the Swan River colony began. On January 15, 1830 the Leda, commanded by George Robb dropped anchor in Gage Roads. Captain Robb applied for a 2000-acre land grant. That extended from the summit of a small hill near Cardigan Street to what is now known as North Lake. Sydney Smith a 25-year-old farm manager from England was left to establish the farm. Smith quickly established himself with a house just east of Hardy Street. In a letter dated August 27th, 1830 Smith gives the address of the farm as Hamilton Hill. This is the first record of the name Hamilton Hill being used; its origin has not been documented. The contemporary name of the reserve may be wrong and Clontarf Hill may actually be the original "Hamilton Hill" from which the present suburb east of the reserve took its name.

Clontarf Hill, the accepted contemporary name for the site, takes its name from Clontarf Road, which was named by John Healy another of the early settlers of the district and after which Healy Road south of the reserve is named.

Charles Macfaull took up a grant between Robb's land grant and the sea and established the colony's first vineyard from vine stocks that he got from the Cape of Good Hope. On April 25th, 1831 Macfaull joined with W K Shenton and began the colony's first printed newspapers, The Fremantle Observer, Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal. For a short time, they did the printing at Macfaull's property at Hamilton Hill. Macfaull was the first contracted Government Printer. He also established the Perth Gazette first published on January 5th 1833. This journal survives today as the West Australian.

The 1850's saw the beginning of large estate holdings in the district. One such was Manning Estate surrounding Davilak Lake. The Nyoongah called it Dgilgies Lake, which was changed to Devils Lake by L A Manning with the Nyoongah then pronouncing it Davilak. This was broken up and divided into various size lots in 1914.

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Much of Hamilton Hill remained in its natural state until the early 1890's. A jetty was constructed for landing cattle from the Kimberly, with stockyard and slaughter yards erected. Thousands of acres of land in the Cockburn district were turned into vast stockyards. This activity played a vital role in the areas economy. Development soon became rapid and a railway service was completed in 1898.

In the early 1900's subdivision for housing commenced with roads such as Clara, Clontarf, Parnell and Healy Roads being dedicated. Robb's original grant was subdivided into 42 sections. Where the Hamilton High School now stands over 60 acres of extensive market gardens were cultivated.

The area surrounding Clontarf Hill was once largely agricultural, particularly market gardens and some dairy cattle farming, and reportedly stretched to where Hampton Road now lays. The hill itself would not have made good grazing land although given the level of degradation of the flatter areas it is highly likely that the land was grazed for a period.

Similar limestone hills in the area have been quarried. Local residents tell of camps in the area that once housed the quarry workers. Clontarf Hill was reportedly core sampled (possible by Bell Brothers) so the limestone quality could be assessed. For whatever reasons the hill was not quarried commercially to any large extent.

Along Rockingham Road shops began to appear in 1914. A major outbreak of rinderpest amongst the cattle in 1923 had a major economic impact. A buffer zone was established for the movement of foodstuffs and animals were quarantined.

Streetlights were installed in 1925 and domestic power was connected in 1926. In 1951, the State Housing Commission resumed the Bakers Estate (Forest and Healy Roads) site of the first district abattoirs and began the first of the new housing developments.

On the western side on Clontarf Hill, the brick and concrete structures that can be seen today belonged to the military during the war. It is unknown if any of the underground structure still exists in the area. These were said to have housed munitions and contained tunnels used as bunkers similar to others around Perth.

The view from the top of the hill would have made this an important vantage point during war times. The surrounding area has undergone a large degree of change in the last 50 years. Because of this, there are a range of land uses in the surrounds; some from yesteryear and others more recent.

The area has been reserved since 1970 for the construction of two major regional roads, plans for which have recently been abandoned as a result of changing transport needs and community values. The largest proposed road was the Roe Highway, originally planned as a controlled access highway, which ran east west across the southern part of the metropolitan area. The planned Roe Highway, east of Stock Road has been deleted due to traffic planning problems at its western end and the development of several alternative east-west roads in the area. The second road planned was the Fremantle Eastern Bypass, which was to connect Stirling Highway to the Roe Highway and onto the proposed Cockburn Highway to the south. The Eastern Bypass was scrapped in 1992 reprocessed and scrapped again in 2000 as a result of strong community opposition.

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Climate

The climate of the entire Fremantle region is typically Mediterranean with dry summers and wet but mild winters, the rainfall being approximately 900 mm per year. The strongest wind experienced is predominately from the westerly quarter during the passage of low-pressure systems in winter and strong summer breezes in the afternoons.

Location

Clontarf Hill is situated within the local government area of Fremantle, 3 km south of Fremantle and adjoins the City of Cockburn along its southern borders. Healy Road bounds the area to the south and Clontarf Road to the north. The coast at South Beach lays 1.25 km due west and the Perth city centre 17 km to the northeast.

Residential areas butt the western and eastern sides and up to Healy Road on the southern side. An old wire fence separates Healy Road from the base of the hill itself. The area adjoining the northern side is a mixture of residential, market garden and light industrial land use A parking lot that used to be used by employees of Transperth lies along a part of the north west side and is accessed from Clontarf Road.

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Access

Access is available from the eastern end of the car park on Clontarf Road which is presently disused. Access via Healy Road is available by walking through the old gates in the wire fence near Gordon Road. Street parking is also available.

There are a series of vehicular tracks, which run through the site. The main track starts at the parking area and runs up the hill to the summit in a northwesterly direction. It is in rough condition and is eroding away at the soil and bedrock. The track continues down the hill in an easterly direction and becomes sandy and impassable to use for vehicles other than four-wheel drive vehicles. Other vehicular tracks criss-cross the area but lead to nowhere in particular.

There is a walking track down the southern face of the hill which experiences light usage and is in a reasonable condition.

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Ownership and Vesting

The area is comprised of publicly owned crown land currently controlled and managed by the Main Roads Department, road reserves e.g. Mather Road south of Clontarf Road and land owned freehold by government departments, such as the Main Roads Department.

The area included is made up of a number of surveyed parcels of land.

Reserves: No. C 21680, Government Requirements (Main Roads Dept) 2.0740ha

Lots: No's. 3,4,5,6,7,11,12,13,47,100. Total area approx. 2ha

Road Reserves: Mather Road (Closed Road?) Total area approx. 1.5ha

Freeway Reserve: Road No. 16354 Approx. 2ha

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Geology/Soils

Clontarf Hill is located within the Spearwood dune system, on the Tamala limestone ridge, which is characterized by undulating sandy terrain and limestone outcrops. The limestone was formed during the Quatemary period due to cementation of the dunes and is known as aeolinite. Around the base and on the western and northern slopes of the hill the soils are sandy and relatively infertile. The colour of the sands range from light grey near the summit to orange-brown around the western and southern fringes to black-brown on the eastern slope and base where the soils are deepest. The soils become progressively shallower towards the summit, which is limestone, capped. On the northeast flank the ground is protruded by limestone and the soils are very shallow. The limestone is heavily sculpted and many tubes, small holes and cracks can be seen.

The reserve forms part of the coastal limestone ridge that runs north/south through the area. Clontarf Hill itself is comprised of coastal limestone, which frequently outcrops near the summit and has been quarried adjacent to Clontarf Road.

The soils in the area are part of the remnant Spearwood dune system. This system is further divided into the Karrakatta soil association, which is found in the south west of the reserve whilst the remainder is representative of the Cottesloe soil association. The Karrakatta soils are deeper and support the tallest remnant Tuart Trees found on the reserve. Cottesloe soils by comparison are shallower, less fertile with frequent outcropping limestone.

Limestone Marlocks have been identified in the Clontarf Hill area.

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Flora

The original vegetation was a mixture of Tuart and Limestone Marlock woodlands on the more sheltered sites with deeper soils. Parrot bush and mixed heathland occur on the exposed slopes, which generally have shallower less fertile soil. The original vegetation would have been quite diverse reflecting the diverse topography, soils and aspect of the site. The headlands currently exist over a reasonable large area in the western part of the reserve while woodland areas of Tuart and Limestone Marlock are restricted to the southeast section.

The condition of vegetation on Clontarf Hill varies greatly. There are no areas of remnant vegetation that can be classed as having good condition.

Eastward facing slopes and parts of the southern slopes are in the best condition, retaining their original vegetation structure and generally moderate levels of disturbance and weed invasion. The vegetation condition of any area is not fixed and has the potential to be improved.

Large parts of the reserve are currently dominated by introduced grasses and weeds. There are also infestations of invasive exotic trees, particularly Victorian Tea-tree, Castor Oil and Pepper trees. These weeds need to be controlled as a matter of priority if the reserve is to recover its original vegetation and biological values.

The Tuarts are considered significant due to their regionally restricted distribution and particular habitat requirements. The Tuarts are also healthy and naturally regenerating.

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Preliminary Native Plant List

Common Name   Tuart Eucalyptus gomphocephala Iimestone Marlock E.decipiens Parrotbush Dryandra sessilis Cockies Tongue Templetonia retusa Summer-Scented Wattle Acacia rostellifera Red-Eyed Wattle A. Cyclops Golden Wreath Wattle A. saligna Prickly Moses A. pulchella Peppermint Agonis flecuosa Coastal Honey-Myrtle Melaleuca acerose Chenille Honey-Myrtle M. huegelii   M. Cerosa? Harsh Hakea Hakea prostrata Native Wisteria Hardenbergia comptoniana Sword Sedge Lepidosperma angustatum   Loxacarya flexuosa Blackboy Xanthorrhoea preissii Basket Bush Spryidium globulosum Pearl Flower Conostephium pendulum Coast Daisy Bush Olearia axillaris Rottnest I Daisy   Prickle Lily Acanthocarpus preissii Flax Lily Dianella divaricata

Shane Chaplin - Student of Environmental Biology for the purpose of delineating the vegetation types, split the site into 4 zones.

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Zone 1 - is the western flank of the hill enclosed by then crescent defined by the track. The soils are shallow sand changing to limestone and the slope is relatively gentle. The vegetation is relatively dense along the western boundary beginning with a stand of Eucalyptus trees, most likely E.decipiens (Limestone Marlock), Dryandra sessilis, Acacia rostellifera, Leptospermum leavigatum (Victoria tea tree) approximately five Xanthorrhea preissii (Blackboy) individuals and a group of introduced trees. All of these species are clumped together in a relatively small area. With progression up then slope the vegetation becomes thinner. The community is largely healthland with the dominant larger individuals being Dryandra sessilis and Hakea prostrata small trees and shrubs. Towards the summit are scattered Melaleuca. The understorey was dominated by lupins at the time of the vegetation survey 010996. Close to the car park is a stand of more than 20 Eucalyptus decipiens. Many Acacia rostellifera individuals are found over the entire zone, particularly in the area around the track leading from the car park and at the western end of this zone. It should be noted that this species was not in flower at the time of the survey and classification was made on leaf morphology alone. It appears that this area was subject to fire during the previous summer 1995-96

Zone 2 - lies to the north and east of the track, which runs from the car park to the summit. The soils are shallow with rocks and sand interspersed. Accordingly the vegetation is low laying scrub and is dominated by short Dryandra sessilis, Acacia rostellifera and Templetonia retusa with weeded understorey.

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Zone 3 - has the steepest and some of the less degraded parts of the study area, that being the slope on the south east side of the summit. Being on the leeward side of the hill offers protection from the wind and driven rain resulting in a different type of flora (compared to other parts of the study area) being found on the slope. The flats at the base of the hill in this zone are degraded and full of weds however they also contain tall Eucalyptus gomphocephala (Tuart) individuals, which are some of the last in this part of Fremantle. The vegetation on the steep are heath and low scrub dominated by Melaleuca huegelii. With progression down slope Melaleuca gives way to Tuart. The understorey contains approximately 30 Xanthorrhea preissii individuals, a group of Acacia lasiocarpa bushes, Templetonia retusa, Spryidium globulosum and some native sedges as well as exotic weeds. The weed density on the slope is less than that on other parts of the study area. A younger Tuart stand is found at the western end of this zone.

Zone 4 - This zone is located south of the NE - SW running sand track and is currently the most degraded of the zones around Clontarf Hill. It comprises about one third of the area of the entire site and is mostly flat. A mixture of species, mainly exotic to the area, may be found including Leptospermum laevigatum, Foeniculum vulgae (Fennel), Cacti, Fig and weeds. Hakea prostrata and Dryandra sessilis stands overlap zones 3 & 4.

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Fauna

The reserve supports a high number of bird species as well as reptiles and possibly mammals.

The existing fauna is that which can survive within small areas of urban bushland and common urban birds that use the small habitats as part of a much larger habitat. The most important fauna habitats within Clontarf Hill are the dry shrubland and heathland areas. The Parrot Bush dominated heathlands provide an important food resource to honeyeaters when flowering. Similarly, the remnant mature Tuart Trees provide hollows for bird nesting. These nesting areas are scarce elsewhere in the local area and are important habitat trees.

BIRDS SEEN AT CLONTARF HILL

Visited on 13 January 2002 by 4 members of Birds Australia

Swamp Harrier Nankeen Kestrel Rock Dove Laughing Turtle-Dove Streptopelia senegaleniss Spotted Turtle-Dove S. chenensis Feral Pigeon Columbia livia Bush Bronzewing Phaps elegans Crested Pigeons Ocyphaps lophotes Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Rainbow Bee-eater Striated Pardalote Weebill Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata Port Lincoln Red Neck Barnadius zonarius Singing Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens Brown Honeyeater New Holland Honeyeater White-cheeked Honeyeater Willie Wagtail Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Grey Butcherbird Caracticus torqatus Australian Magpie Gymnotthina tibicen Australian Magpie Lark Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Tree Martin Silvereye Zosterops lateralis Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Australian Hobby Falco longipennis

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Reptiles

Bobtail Tiliqua rugosa Dugite Pseudonaja affinis Fence skink Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus Yellow Bellied Skink Hemiergis quadrillineata Lerista Lerista lineata

Landscapes

The reserve contains a variety of different landscapes, including the hill itself, the exposed western slopes, the sheltered swale south of the hill and the eastern more sheltered slopes.

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Social, Recreational and Educational Values

Clontarf Hill and the adjacent bushland corridor is off social significance due to the community's recognition of its habitat values and the value of the hill as a local landmark and topographical feature. Clontarf Hill is also significant in its role as a linkage point within the local area. It provides a habitat linkage for the native fauna and a social linkage for passive recreation routes. The role of Clontarf Hill has been recognised through its incorporation in the Fremantle Green Plan. This is a proposal for a joint ecological and recreational circuit around Fremantle, which links existing parks and conservation areas. Clontarf Hill is also seen to be of educational significance because it provides an area of native bushland for school and community groups to visit and study.

In 1992 a group called the friends of Clontarf Hill was formed, our aim is to preserve and protect Clontarf Hill and surrounding areas for conservation and passive recreation purposes.

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Identified Values

Conservation

The area supports remnant Tuart forest as well as limestone heathlands and woodland areas of the relatively uncommon limestone marlock, (Eucalyptus decipiens). This vegetation provides habitat areas, food and nesting resources for bird, mammal and some reptile species.

Scientific

Clontarf Hill contains areas of relatively undisturbed coastal limestone heath and some Tuart woodlands. It is a good example of the geology and landform of these coastal limestone hills. The reserve provides the opportunity for researching environmental disturbances and rehabilitation techniques.

Educational

As one of the few remaining examples of remnant vegetation in the Fremantle area it provides an easily accessible and environmentally interesting area for local primary and secondary school students to study at first hand. It should also provide an ideal location for courses in bush regeneration and various field studies.

Recreational

With the panoramic views available fro its summit, natural vegetation and animal life, Clontarf Hill lends itself to passive recreational pursuits and the development of passive recreational facilities including bird watching, walk trails, cycle paths, lookout points, picnic areas and other facilities.

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Regional

With the increasing awareness of the importance of linkages between conservation areas that create 'rivers' of parkland rather than isolated 'islands', Clontarf Hill fulfils an important role as a wildlife as well as recreational corridor. Through Wilson and Hollis Parks and the previous tip site a link is available to the ocean. Likewise through Dixon reserve, Lucius Lake and the southern limestone ridge there is a quiet defined link to Manning Lake and onto the western section of the Belliar Regional Park and Woodman Reserve.

Social

With increasing urban population densities due to urban infill housing development there is a need to create and preserve as much accessible public open space as possible. Clontarf hill Reserve will help to fill this need on general but also specifically will help to balance the proposed medium to high density housing development likely to be built soon on the closed Clontarf Road Bus Depot immediately north of the reserve.

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Environmental Management

Current Management

The current management of the area appears to be restricted to the annual construction of firebreaks by the Main Roads Department. Firebreaks are a legal requirement for the area under the City of Fremantle's by-laws.

Management Problems

The current state of the site results from a lack of active management for many years. A major problem is the spread of weeds throughout the area which leads to competition with native species, lack of natural regeneration and frequent grass fires, which compound other problems. Rubbish dumping is common and ranges from garden refuse to household rubbish, tyres and car bodies. Off road vehicles use the graded firebreaks to access the reserve and then move into the native vegetation in areas. Erosion is a problem and has been exacerbated by the grading of firebreaks sometimes up and down the steep slopes of the hill. Domestic animals create problems, dogs disturb the revegetated new growth areas and cats are responsible for a large number of reptiles, birds and possibly mammals being destroyed. It has aldo been reported that foxes inhabit the site.

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Management Needs

As a first step a Management Plan is urgently needed that will provide a blue print for the future development and protection of the area. The management plan should:

" fully document the environment of the site, including social, biological and physical attributes," contain management recommendation and detailed prescriptions for rehabilitation of the site, and " propose a concept plan, which will identify key zones within the reserve, and a development plan for recreational facilities.

Parkland Proposal

Friends of Clontarf Hill propose that the area be retained and developed as a passive recreational and conservation reserve. Both of these land uses suit the site and with adequate planning are fully compatible.

Process of Retention

For the area to be preserved it requires the support and co-operation of both state and local government. Assuming that the City of Fremantle supports this proposal, the disposal of the land by the Main Roads Department is the main obstacle for the creation of the park. The State Government can direct Main Roads to relinquish control of the land to the City of Fremantle. The City of Fremantle could then plan the park and prepare a management plan, which will serve as a blue print for its future rehabilitation and development as a passive recreation and conservation reserve.

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Community Involvement

The desire for this park has arisen from 'grass roots' community action to see the area conserved and enhanced. This community action will continue until the area is protected. It is proposed that a community liaison committee and "Friends" group be resourced by the City of Fremantle to act as the co-ordinating body for community action. There is huge scope for the involvement and training of volunteers in such areas as rubbish removal, weed control, walk trail construction, rehabilitation and fund raising. In 1996, the friends of Clontarf Hill and the City of Fremantle requested that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) include Clontarf Hill in the Systems 6 conservation estate. The DEP has yet to make a decision as the wether Clontarf Hill will be classified as a conservation area.

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URGENT

Monday, November 18, 2002 FREMANTLE EASTERN BYPASS AND STAGE 8 OF ROE HIGHWAY Dear Supporter, We need to take immediate action to respond to the recently released Metropolitan Regional Scheme Amendment and Town Planning Scheme 3 Amendment 57 from the City of Fremantle. You may be aware that there has been a large amount of local media attention devoted to the arguments being put forward to oppose the deletion of the FEB. City of Melville, along with other groups that have been lobbying the State Government to reinstate the FEB. These groups are not genuine grassroots groups as we know them. City of Melville have been issuing alarming statements that are misunderstandings, often misleading and deliberately untruthful. These statements have caused tragic community division and the fear campaign has been largely successful in gaining the support of people, who have been incorrectly informed. The fact remains that if the bypass does go through, High Street, Watkins Street, South Street and Clontarf Road will all be widened. This is necessary and it is on the plan as they will be the main feeder roads. The bypass is part of the Western Suburbs Highway that will link with Roe Highway Stage 8 at Clontarf Hill. Traffic will also impact on the western suburbs of Cottesloe and Swanbourne. These suburbs are not designed for a de facto northern highway. City of Melville believes that the bypass could proceed without any environmental damage to the Bibra Lake, North Lake and Clontarf Hill areas. They claim the environmental damage to Melville could be far worse. This is contrary to all previous and current research conducted regarding the social and environmental impacts of the construction of the FEB. Roe Highway Stage 8 is part of the overall plan and it is Roe 8 that will wreck the wetlands and homes in Cockburn and Hamilton Hill. Further useful information regarding FEB is available at the following addresses: http://www.mp.wa.gov.au/jscott/tracmain.html http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/metro/freight/ City of Melville has ensured that an enormous number of people will be making submissions to advocate the FEB and Roe Highway Stage 8 going ahead. We need as many people as possible to write submissions too oppose the FEB and Stage 8 of Roe Highway. Submissions are also required to the City of Fremantle regarding the Town Planning Scheme 3 Amendment 57. You can use the enclosed pro-formas or write your own on the enclosed forms. Please return them to 4 Gordon Road, Hamilton Hill, 6163. If you have any available time to assist us with the work that needs to be done or queries please contact Roz Claydon, 9331 5854 or Christine Duckham, 9337 7666. We need your help! Friends of Clontarf Hill in conjunction with Clean Up Australia Day are planning another clean up day on Sunday 2 March. We invite you and your family to join us at 10.00am at the Gordon Road gates. At the recent weeding day we successfully targeted Japanese Pepper trees and cleared a large area ready for revegetation next year. The Leaf Hoppers have made a huge impact on the Bridal Creeper. Thanks to all who helped complete the full flora list. We need to act now or we could well lose Clontarf Hill to the FEB or residential development.

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