City of Mandurah councillors are considering the closure of various unmade road reserves within the Yalgorup National Park.
During a meeting on January 16, councillors stated their intention to ask the Lands Minster Rita Saffioti to approve the proposed closures.
In February 2017, the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions approached the City and urged them to support road closures, adjacent to Lake Clifton and surrounding lakes.
The roads were never constructed or used by the public and, after several large parcels of land were amalgamated into the Yalgorup National Park, they’re no longer required.
The expansion was announced on January 12 and will see 1001 hectares of land, that was an offset of the Roe 8 project, included in the iconic and internationally recognised park.
Deputy mayor Caroline Knight said the closures would help protect the precious flora and fauna in the area.
The park provides habitat for the thrombolites at Lake Clifton, Western Ringtail possums and the King Spider Orchid.
A public consultation process for the closures was undertaken and a submission from the Shire of Waroona, resolved at their March 28, 2017 meeting, revealed that council didn’t support the proposal as it would “compromise the potential for the establishment of formalised secondary access to and from Preston Beach town site for emergency purposes”.
According to a report prepared by sustainable development director Tony Free for council, the road reserves were created decades ago to access to several larger pastoral properties. The report stated that the roads were never built as they were not required to move cattle, however provided ‘legal’ access to properties by ensuring they weren’t without road access.
Council also acknowledged that all costs associated with the closure will the responsibility of the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions.
Council will vote on the recommendation at their meeting on January 30.
Formally closing the unmade roads will align with the Department’s management plan for the Yalgorup National Park.
