Published on Thursday, 11 December 2025 at 4:50:17 PM
The Shire of Esperance has been awarded a State Natural Resource Management (NRM) Community Stewardship Grant, unlocking four years of funding to restore, revegetate and protect some of the region’s most ecologically significant reserves.
This grant will enable targeted works across eight reserves. These sites are home to unique ecosystems and species found nowhere else and were chosen for their high biodiversity values and the potential for effective restoration within a three-year timeframe. Once completed, these actions will reduce the need for intensive ongoing management, allowing the Shire to focus on broader environmental priorities.
The works include:
- Weed control and post-weed control revegetation to restore and protect native bushland.
- Gravel pit rehabilitation to prevent erosion and protect sensitive habitats.
- Rubbish removal and educational signage to reduce human impact and raise awareness.
These actions align with NRM priorities to conserve biodiversity and enhance water assets, including wetlands and riparian zones.
Partnership is key. The project will involve local groups, including Wongutha CAPS Bushrangers, Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC) Rangers, and volunteer firefighters to ensure strong community engagement and cultural input.
With works scheduled over the next four years, the Shire aims to create healthier ecosystems that require minimal intervention in the future. This project is a significant step toward safeguarding Esperance’s natural heritage.
Key Reserves
Reserve 4181 Paterson Rd:
Follow up Gaudium laevigatum (Victorian Tea Tree) Control.
This reserve has undergone significant control over the past two years, with all mature Victorian Tea Tree plants eliminated. Given the seedbank can persist for several years, Wongutha CAPS Bushrangers are conducting the followup control, hand pulling new seedlings. The CAPS Bushrangers will also conduct ongoing searches over 3 years to ensure no additional plants have been missed.
Reserve 24633 South Coast Highway ‘Coomalbidgup Swamp’: Prescribed Burn and followup Gaudium laevigatum (Victorian Tea Tree) Control.
A controlled burn will be conducted by Volunteer Firefighters, which aims to eliminate mature Victorian Tea Tree from the reserve and stimulate germination of the seedbank. Post-burn, firebreak tracks will be closed off, and ETNTAC Rangers will then manage Victorian Tea Tree control for two years. Portions of this reserve were burnt in 2024, so burnt infrastructure needs to be removed.
Reserve 26912 Rollond Rd ‘Roberts Swamp’:
Educational signage.
In 2015, a fire ripped through this beautifully diverse reserve, burning Mallee woodland, old-growth salmon gums, large Eucalyptus occidentalis, precious old-growth, and animal habitats. Following the fire, large areas have been logged.
Educational signage will be installed outlining the value of the burnt old growth Eucalyptus occidentalis trees provide as a habitat for fauna.
Reserve 24284 Coolgardie Esperance Highway ‘Lake Warden’: Victorian Tea Tree control.
The old Sand Mine site was never revegetated, and the Victorian Tea Tree has invaded the area. There is a total of 1.49ha of Victorian Tea Tree to control, with additional follow-up control measures being conducted for 2-3 years after. The sand pit will be revegetated in the 3rd year of control works, with 750 seedlings being planted in the reserve.
Reserve 22422 Collier Rd ‘Pink Lake Reserve’:
Track re-closure and revegetation.
The lakebed has become a popular 4WD spot, resulting in significant damage to the sensitive ecosystem. The Shire of Esperance in collaboration with the ETNTAC have attempted to close vehicle access to the lake bed. Disappointingly, three of the four closures have been breached.
Some 400 seedlings will be planted to visually and physically close off the tracks. An additional track within Reserve 22422 leading to a saline watercourse will also be closed. Brush will be collected from nearby shire reserves and spread around the track closures to further assist with revegetation and to dissuade further breaches.
Reserve 31099 Old Smokey Rd ‘Old Smokey’:
Weed control, Revegetation, Rubbish removal.
This 35.6 ha reserve is currently purposed for gravel extraction. It is ecologically diverse, hosting a mosaic of species-rich shrublands, Swamp Yate (Eucalyptus occidentalis) woodlands, and Saltwater Paperbark (Melaleuca cuticularis) wetlands. Most of the reserve is in pristine or excellent condition.
However, a large area is infested with Victorian Tea Tree, a threat to local vegetation that requires control. Removal of the species will include mulching, chainsawing and stump spraying of large and juvenile plants.
Historic gravel pits will be revegetated once the Victorian Tea Tree work is completed.
Reserve 53990 Coolgardie Esperance Highway ‘Hansen Road’: Rubbish removal.
Significant rubbish dumping was noted along the tracks. A site clean-up will be performed and rubbish removed.
Reserve 31801 Muntz Rd ‘Muntz Reserve’:
Track rehabilitation, erosion control.
This is a large reserve that has historically been used for its gravel resource. Nestled within a larger reserve, Muntz Reserve provides additional security and ecological connectivity to the neighbouring conservation reserve.
Most of the reserve is in a pristine condition; however, 0.5ha of historic gravel pit track requires rehabilitation. Ripping of the track will also help to reduce erosion within the reserve. Some coir logs and brushing will be installed in the historic gravel pits to minimise erosion.
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Community Direction
Shire of Esperance Council Plan 2022-2032
Outcome 4. The natural environment is valued, protected and enjoyed
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