Sustainability

Since 2018 the Town has been committed to reducing Glyphosate use across the streetscapes and parks.

Town contractors only spray Glyphosate in fenced areas which are inaccessible to the public.

Fusillade is used to control grasses and Slasher (organic pelargonic acid) is used for other weeds as an alternative.

Weed spraying contractors will put up signage in appropriate areas advising the community of the chemical being used. Marker dye will also be used, you may see blue or red dye markings in areas that have been recently sprayed.

Western Australia is facing major challenges caused by a drying climate, population growth and reduced groundwater availability.  We can no longer rely on traditional water supplies to meet the community's demands for water.  Below we list some of the ways you can maintain water quality and save water in your garden.

Many properties within the Town can directly impact water quality in Lake Claremont and Freshwater Bay. The following information is provided to  support and maintain the quality of Lake Claremont as a Conservation Category Wetland while ensuring the quality of residential lawn and gardens is not compromised.
 
Home lawns and gardens are a major source of nutrients entering groundwater/aquifers, wetlands and the Swan and Canning Rivers. Excess fertiliser used in your garden will eventually find its way into Lake Claremont and Freshwater Bay via the stormwater drainage system or through the soil into groundwater which directly impacts bore water quality. Some residents have seen impacts to their own garden from excess salt from fertilisers which can kill some species of plants and trees. For information of phosphate free fertilisers which are better for the environment please ask at your local fertiliser supplier or your garden maintainer and ensure you apply these sparingly for optimum plant health.
 
Excessive nutrients in wetland and river systems lead to algal blooms. These can result in the death of animals and plants which live in the waterways and the possible closure of waterway systems for recreational activity. aims to provide easy to understand application rates and recommended fertiliser types for those living in Claremont and Swanbourne. To view information on effective and responsible fertiliser user, please click here.  Using this information, you will save time and money and help to keep our gardens, wetlands and rivers healthy.  

Mulching garden beds saves water, reduces evaporation and weeds and regulates soil temperatures.  For maximum effect, mulch gardens at a depth of 50-100mm thick.  Always keep mulch cleared away from stem of plants to avoid collar rot.

Residents are encouraged to do one of the following to obtain free or heavily subsidised mulch:

• Ring up a contractor who prunes trees and ask if they are in the area to drop a truck load on your verge
• Register a request on www.mulchnet.com

Residents may also purchase mulch from retail outlets.  These products are usually partially composted to minimise pathogens.  Please ensure it meets the Australian Standards for mulching to avoid spreading soil borne disease. 

There are over 50 different forms of Pythopthera (Greek = Plant Destroyer).  These water moulds are carried in soil and spread through poor hygiene of people, animals and machines or by movement of water.  Many of these species of Phytopthera are only recently identified and little is known of some impacts within Perth bushland.  Over 40% of the species found on the Swan Coastal Plain are impacted by these biological bulldozers and currently there is no known cure.

What can we do to limit its spread?
At home by using potting mixes and mulches with the Australian Standards ticks (Red are premium grade and black ticks are for regular grade) we are able to ensure the mix is pathogen free.

All compost should be kept at a minimum of 70 degrees for 72 hours to achieve a pathogen free material.  Ensure all plant material is either composted as mentioned above or placed out for verge collection or in residential rubbish bin, this is then composted at a recycling centre and on sold to the soil suppliers in Perth.

In urban bush land and natural areas stick to the designated paths and keep away from planted areas and keep dogs on leads near bush land areas. 

Reduce your contribution to landfill by composting organic waste.  Composting is the natural process of decomposition which regenerates the soil.  Kitchen and garden waste placed in a compost bin is broken down by naturally occurring bacteria and fungi.  This forms an earthy smelling, dark coloured soil mixture. Find out more about composting.

A worm farm is a simple way to turn non fatty kitchen waste into high quality nutrients for your household plants, vegetable seedlings, lawns and gardens.  Worms will digest most of your kitchen waste, producing a nutritious soil conditioner.  Worm farms are ideally suited for small families or houses with small yards. Find out more about worm farming.

For Friends of Lake Claremont preservation and enhancement information on the Urban Bushland Council website, please click here

The Town of Claremont will permit verge landscaping provided it complies with the Town's guidelines. These guidelines can be viewed here.  Please complete the simple line drawing on the back page of the guidelines, with your verge planting layout and return it to the Town. 
Please note an inspection of the verge plantings may apply to ensure they are in accordance with the Road Verge Policy. The policy can be found here.  

The WMRC Waste Watchers Program provides a collection of webinars, workshops and up-skilling events designed to help you live a low-waste, sustainable life. For more information visit the WMRC website

The Town of Claremont encourages its residents to use native plants in their garden as it reduces the demand on underground water supplies and increases species richness (biodiversity) within the Western Suburbs.  The information booklet Wildflowers & other local plants for your garden has information on some of the natives used in the Town of Claremont.  For more garden water wise hints and tips please refer to the Water Corporation’s website.