Hyde Park Lakes Restoration

Background

Green light for Perth's premier inner-city park!

The Hyde Park Lakes will soon be returned to their former glory with the final approval of the Restoration Masterplan. The contract has been awarded to Advanteering Civil Engineers with works expected to commence in September 2012.

“At last, after seven years we now have a resolution for Hyde Park. The Masterplan is finalised, the contracts have been signed, and we’re relieved to be moving forward in the best way possible for this significant environmental project,” said Mayor Alannah MacTiernan.

Update on the Current Works

Hyde Park > restoration works complete

07 June 2013

Restoration works are now officially complete. Mayor MacTiernan visited the site with the Hon. Stephen Smith MP to see the finished work, as the federal government contributed $1.5million to the project (pictured below).

Click here to read the full media release

Mayor Alannah MacTiernan says, “At last, we now have a tangible result for Hyde Park. The Masterplan has been put into action, completed within budget, and we have a lake that retains it ornamental beauty while requiring less water. 

“Funds have focused on reducing the lakes’ size, improving water quality and helping fauna and vegetation to flourish. The ‘treatment train’, a natural biofilter, really is a clever solution.

“We’ve completed all the big ticket items, with only the softscape works to come. This includes landscaping and re-vegetation of the two islands, the two beached areas, the lake edges and the Treatment Train. We’ll work with the seasons and utilise the winter rains to establish a host of gorgeous local species that will really thrive here in Hyde Park. We’ve chosen specific plants that will be able to withstand the impending harsh summers and enrich the water quality of the lakes,” said Mayor MacTiernan.

27 May 2013

Last to come in the project is the soft scape works (such as landscaping and planting) which has recently commenced. These works will include the vegetation of the two islands, the two beached areas, the lake edges and the Treatment Train. We’ll be planting tube seedlings and the landscaping will continue right throughout the planting season to take advantage of the winter rains.

Works on the Treatment Train have faced a few minor delays, however these delays have now been overcome and the Treatment Train is progressing well with only the vegetation, which acts as a biofilter, to be planted. We’ll be adding signage around the park which will assist in communicating the functions of the Treatment Train and the Restoration Project. Throughout the rest of this year and into the next, the City will be working hard to beautify the park and restore its splendor.

8 March 2013
The much anticipated completion date of the Hyde Park Lakes Restoration Project is set for April/May 2013!

After this date, final works will be completed on the treatment train and extensive vegetation will occur during the cooler months to aid the vegetation in establishing. The City will continue minor works on site, such as interpretive signage.

26 February 2013
The Hyde Park Lakes Restoration Project is approaching completion! The inner walls, capping and backfill has now been completed. A combination of planting and paved areas will be installed in due course. 

The beached areas have been prepared for planting. This too will be carried out in due course.

The treatment train retaining wall has been constructed. Excavation works have been completed to remove roots and grass from the treatment train area and prepare the site for further works.

During this phase of construction aboriginal monitors have been on site in accordance with the conditions of the City’s Section 18 approval.

29 January 2013
The restoration works are progressing well and on track. Extensive works are now being undertaken in the construction of the Treatment Train.

Up-coming works of the project will include the creation of two new beached areas on the North-Western corner of the Eastern lake and the South-Eastern corner of the Western lake. The beaches will be vegetated with local native species which will assist in enhancing the existing habitat for local fauna.

The fill and vegetation of the area between the existing wall and the new wall will soon be undertaken however the species to be used are still to be confirmed.

15 January 2013
Preliminary works have started on the construction of the Hyde Park treatment train, which is located to the north of the eastern island. The preliminary works include earth works, minor tree pruning and the transplant of a mature palm to the east of the treatment train. The treatment train will be an integral part of improving the quality of the water flowing into the lakes.

To find out more about the function of a treatment train, or a biofiltration system, click here.

The exotics on the eastern island are currently being bought under control. As per the City's Flora and Fauna Management Plan, re-vegetation will take place in the cooler planting months of the year. The island will continue to be cared for and maintained by the City on an annual basis to ensure the success of the newly selected native species.

17th December 2012
Everything is progressing on schedule. The construction of the new concrete lake wall is now complete and the exotic island vegetation is almost cleared. Several established Callistemons and mature palms will stay (as per the Masterplan) which will allow various birds and local fauna to continue to nest and feed while the newly planted native vegetation is established.

And now, due to community feedback, some of the exotic Willow trees on the western island will also be retained. Once the native vegetation is established the mature specimens will be looked at for removal as part of the City’s Flora and Fauna Management Plan. Next, we’ll begin work on the lake edge treatments which will include additional planting and some paved areas where park patrons can access the lake edge. Following the Christmas break works will commence on the ‘Treatment Train’ and refurbishment of the existing wall.

23 November 2012
Construction is almost complete! The piling and new wall panels have been installed in both the eastern and western lakes. The City is eagerly awaiting the final designs for the lake edge treatments (soft-scaping and hard-scaping) as well as for the treatment train. Upon receipt of the final design documents the City will be able to progress the last features with Advanteering and GHD.

The project is progressing on schedule as expected.

22 October 2012
Construction has progressed as expected and on schedule. The piling of the eastern lake has been completed and the piling of the western lake has now commenced. It is anticipated that the piling of the western lake will be completed by the end of this week. The pre-cast concrete panels that will make up the new wall will be placed between the piles later part of this week and each pile measures approximately 3.7 meters.

The clearing of the eastern lake has progressed significantly over the past week. Several established Callistemons and mature palms have been marked to be retained. This will allow various birds and local fauna to continue to nest and feed while the newly planted native vegetation is established. Once the native vegetation is established the mature specimens will be looked at for removal as part of the City’s Flora and Fauna Management Plan. Several selected wooden trunks will be retained and re-established for roosting purposes.

11 October 2012
The City’s contractors have commenced work around the eastern lake at Hyde Park. Piling of the new lake wall has commenced and will continue on the inside of the eastern and western lake walls for the next couple of weeks until completed.  Panels will then be slotted in between the piles to form the new wall which is slightly lower than the existing wall.

A causeway has also been constructed to allow vehicles and machinery to access the eastern island to remove the exotic vegetation and this will now continue until completed. Local endemic species will be selected to replace the removed exotics.

10 September 2012
The required pruning of the London Plane trees surrounding the Eastern and Western lakes has now been completed. Final preparations and arrangements are currently being undertaken for the commencement of the piling; set to start at the end of September. Over the forthcoming weeks it is likely that materials and machinery will be set up on site in preparation for commencing works.

In the original conceptual plan for the Hyde Park Lakes, a sediment trap was proposed within the Eastern Lake. This structure, whilst likely effective was very imposing and therefore further investigations were suggested to look at alternative sediment traps and water treatment options before a final design was approved.   

It has now been resolved, in conjunction with Advanteering Civil Engineering and GHD consultants, that a ‘Treatment Train’ located to the North of the Eastern lake is the best way forward. The concept plan for the Treatment Train is currently being developed.

4 September 2012
Works have commenced!

Tree pruning of the iconic the London Plane trees surrounding the lakes began last week. Historically, these trees have been allowed to overhang almost down to water level increasing the leaf load into the lakes in autumn which contributes to the high nutrient levels in the lake sediments and water.

The pruning is required not only to reduce leaf drop into the lakes but necessary to allow construction machinery to gain better access to the lake wall and limit any potential damage and impact on the these protected trees. It is anticipated that the tree pruning will take two weeks to complete.

1 August 2012
Next week preliminary works will commence on the Hyde Park Lakes Restoration Project which will include the pruning of trees surrounding the perimeter of the lakes as well as preliminary remedial works performed on the islands including the removal of exotic vegetation.

The background

Hyde Park is a significant community asset for Vincent and a source of joy for both visitors and local wildlife over many years. However, in recent years the iconic lakes have been adversely affected by the weather conditions - long summers, drought, limited winter rain, water restrictions, and so on.

Since 2004, the (Council-established) Hyde Park Lakes Restoration Working Group has investigated options to ensure the park does not continue to be a ‘seasonal wetland’ and a casualty of declining water levels which transforms it into a swamp each summer.

Project objectives

As part of the City’s Sustainable Environment Plan 2007-2012, a number of objectives have been identified:

• reduce water use (reduce the size of the lakes)
• improve water quality (construction of ‘Treatment Train’)
• encourage the planting of native species (islands to be replanted)
• Re-establish native fringing vegetation as habitat areas for local fauna

The way forward

After years of meetings and investigation, the final Restoration Masterplan has now been approved. This document’s chief objective is to get Hyde Park back into shape, resulting in a dramatic improvement for the park’s many regular visitors.

Please see further below for a summary of the key changes you’ll see after the project is completed.

Funds will focus on improving water quality and assisting fauna and vegetation to flourish. Boardwalks and additional aesthetic features will be discussed with key stakeholders once the environmental objectives are achieved.  

The works process

West Perth Civil Engineers, Advanteering, have been awarded the tender for the construction works; construction will commence this September, and it is anticipated to take six months to complete.

Due to the staged, sectional works there will be minimal impact on the residents and those who frequent the park. Advanced engineering techniques will be harnessed during the project which will result in minimal disturbance to the park and will result in a low ecological impact. The park will be able to be used during the construction period without much disturbance.

For more information

We will keep this web page current throughout the works process, providing updates on the project. A letter will also be sent to residents prior to the works commencing to advise the timing of the project and explain the major objectives and if any disruptions. If you require any further information please contact Jeremy Van den Bok on 9273 6066 or by email on Jeremy.vandenbok@vincent.wa.gov.au

What changes will the approved Restoration Masterplan bring about?

New lake wall
A new wall will be constructed approximately 2.0 metres into the lake, from the existing wall, and the height of the new wall will be lower than the height of the existing wall. Due to the reengineering of the wall perimeter the core of each lake will appear somewhat smaller in summer which will enhance the aesthetics of the lakes, reduce evaporation and assist in a higher level of management. It is anticipated that the lower level of the new walls will increase the level of interaction sustained by park visitors and the lakes.

Two beaches created
The project will see two beach areas created, one in each lake, to address the dead corners. Currently, water does not circulate in these troublesome spots, which results in a build-up of organic and non-organic materials. The ‘beaches’ will be intensely vegetated with native sedges and the like, acting as a natural cordon between the lakes and patrons of the park as well as assisting as a bio-filter.

Two islands re-engineered
The two existing highly vegetated islands will be assessed and revegetated to act as ‘biofilters’.  Less invasive, local endemic species that are better suited to the area/or site will be planted, such as small trees, ground covers, small shrubs and sedges. This will open up the islands and assist in providing suitable breeding grounds for local fauna. Existing mature vegetation will be retained wherever feasible.

Construction of ‘Treatment Train’
To improve quality of the water flowing into the lakes, a Treatment Train is being constructed. Also known as a ‘biofiltration system’, it is a natural way of filtering (waste or storm) water. It works by passing the water through varying filtration stages, including different types of plants which cleverly filter out pollutants, sediments, heavy metals and other organic and non-organic elements.

Increase in local fauna
The two remediated islands will create ideal homes for Hyde Park’s local animals, including water-birds, ducks and turtles. The newly planted vegetation on the islands, beached areas and lake fringes will also provide shelter and sufficient food sources for a wide range of local fauna species which have previously not been able to thrive, such as the oblong turtle.

New Lake Wall

New Beach Area

Costs and Funding

The estimated cost of the restoration works is $3.5million. The City will receive up to $2m in funding from the Australian Government’s Water for the Future initiative through the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns program. Some funding was provided by the Water Corporation with a contribution from the North Perth Community Bank (Bendigo Bank). The remaining funds for the restoration works will be provided by the City.

Further Information:

Jereny Van den Bok, Manager Parks & Property Services
Tel: 9273 6066 or email:  Jeremy.vandenbok@vincent.wa.gov.au