THE GLEN FORREST SUPERBLOCK

The Glen Forrest Superblock is situated on the Darling Scarp, within the Mundaring Shire, 25kms from the Central Business District of Perth, and is comprised of nine Reserves and locations with a total of 73.6 hectares. It is bounded by a railway Reserve to the north, (now used as a bridle, walk and cycle trail extending to Mundaring and beyond) Sealey Road and Glen Forrest Drive to the east, Jellicoe Road to the south and Mofflin avenue to the west. The whole is bisected by Ryecroft Road. The southern area is bisected by an unmade portion of Glenburn Road which acts as an access for Western Power to control tree growth near their high powered transmission lines, which cross the Reserve. The Superblock falls within the Middle and Lower Helena Catchments and has Nyaania Creek and its tributaries flowing on the northern and south-western boundaries. The Block is made up of 94% natural bushland and is accessible to a large and growing population within a mixed residential and rural suburb.

The Glen Forrest area had a long association with the timber industry in the earlier years. The first mill established in the area was 'York Greenmount Sawmill', commonly known as 'Smith's Mill', built around 1877 by the first permanent resident Alfred Charles Smith. The sawmill was never a large concern until the Eastern Railway passed within a 100 metres of its boundary thus making transportation of the logs easier. After the railway was built Alfred handed the sawmill over to his son Thomas who expanded the operation and ran it successfully until 1897 when good stands of timber within an economical distance were becoming scarce. The Mill was closed just before the turn of the century indicating that the Superblock was logged for 23 years.

(Adapted from the Management Plan For The Glen Forrest Superblock 1998: Mattiske Consulting Pty. Ltd.)

In January 1996 residents of Glen Forrest became aware that the land, controlled by the Department of Land Administration, (DOLA) was to be auctioned for development in February. This caused quite a stir and with the help of the Council, a meeting was held during which representatives from DOLA were extensively questioned. Representation was also made to the State Government by the residents. Ecoscape (Australia) Pty. Ltd.undertook a comparative analysis of the conservation value of some 201 reserves within the Shire with the Superblock being identified as a 'Core Reserve Precinct'. Apropos of this the Reserve was recommended for inclusion in the Darling Range Regional Park.

In March of 1996 a 'Friends of the Reserve' group was formed. Although the membership has changed over time the number of 'Friends' remain consistent at 36 with some long term members being the backbone of the group.

It was noted that the landscape was largely untouched, apart from the aforementioned logging, and represents a typical Jarrah/Marri/Sheoak woodland with an understorey comprised of a wide variety of native flora. Jarrah and Marri are still evident but the Sheoak has gone. Apparently this occured when shingle roofs were fashionable. The presence of fungi are also reported with lichen and Crepidotus being named while many others have yet to be formally identified. A wide variety of birds can be seen over all seasons and the presence of many species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates have been reported by amateur naturalists. By 2002 a family of five kangaroos can be seen regularly in the early dawn or late dusk, together with a growing number of possums and bandicoots.

Management Objectives were formulated by the Group to cover the areas of conservation, recreation, education and fire management. (These objectives were subsequently extended and formalised by the Management Plan developed by Matttiske Consultants)

Anecdotal evidence from local residents, who have been in the area for 30 years or more, indicate that there was a significant fire in 1957 which raced through the north section of the forest from Darlington to Sealey Road. An unauthorised burn in the central section of the southwest corner had also caused some concern in that time. There was a significant wildfire on December 31st 1999 which swept through the southern portion of the Reserve. Devastating and frightening though it was the regeneration of the vegetation, in a short period of time, was remakable especially in view of the fact that summer had just begun with no hope of any significant rain for some months.

Part of the southern portion had been used as a rubbish dump prior to the residents getting a rubbish collection service. The first task for the 'Friends' was to remove it. This took the first year. The second year saw significant weeds identified and a removal programme was commenced. Jarrah die-back (Phytophthora cinnamomi) was identified in the northwest corner of the southern portion. With funding from the Lotteries Commission of Western Australia the necessary equipment was purchased to inject the trees with 'Fosject' and spray the understorey. The area was then quarantined. The 'Friends' have received subsequent funding from the State Government for the purchase of further equipment to continue with the die-back control when it is due in 2004. This equipment is available for loan to other 'Friends' groups.

The 'dump' areas were mulched with tree prunings donated by Western Power prior to planting. The children of the Glen Forrest Primary School planted 2000 seedlings in the year 2000 to commemorate the turn of the century. A plaque acknowledging their contribution was put on the site and unveiled by June van de Klashorst MLA.

Mulching of barren areas continues to be a priority. Western Power continue to supply the prunings and Army Cadets from Guildford Grammar School, together with the 'Friends' have helped with spreading the resultant mulch .The local Emergency Scout Group will be joining the team of workers this year (2002).

Weeds are a huge problem. We commenced in 1996 with a concerted effort to remove Tagasate (Lucerne tree) and Watsonia. By 1998 these were eradicated (a few lucerne seedlings continue to pop up but are rapidly disposed of) and we shifted our attention to gladioli which we are still working on. It was decided to attack one weed at a time to its point of extinction before tackling the next 'worst' weed yet to be decided on.

The local Primary School, Police Cadets and Scouts use the area for educational purposes, such as environmentl awareness, mapping, compass work and so on. Local residents, staying on major trails and old loggine tracks, use it for recreational purposes and exercising of dogs. Bird watchers are regular visitors. Horse riders enjoy the space also only using the major trails and fire-breaks.

Since 1996 there has been an increase in community awareness of the value of the Reserve to our well-being, to the well-being of the forest and the creatures it maintains. We hope it continues. The 'Friends' Group is always happy to welcome new members. We can be contacted through the Residents' and Ratepayers' Association Inc. via the e-mail address: glenforrest@perthmail.com or write to PO Box 95, Glen Forrest, Western Australia 6071

April 2002