DRAFT Natural Reserves Strategy 2026-2036
The Shire of Capel is home to a diverse network of natural reserves, bushland, waterways, wetlands, and coastal environments that contribute significantly to the region's environmental, cultural, recreational, and scenic values. These natural areas provide critical habitat for native flora and fauna, support important ecological processes, protect water quality, strengthen landscape connectivity, and enhance the health and wellbeing of the community.
As the Shire continues to experience population growth, changing land uses and the impacts of a changing climate, these valuable natural assets are facing increasing pressure from habitat fragmentation, invasive species, altered hydrology, coastal erosion, nutrient enrichment, bushfire, and increasing recreational use. Protecting and enhancing these areas requires a coordinated, long-term approach that balances environmental conservation with community aspirations and sustainable land management.
The DRAFT NATURAL RESREVES STRATEGY provides a coordinated framework for the protection, enhancement, and sustainable management of the Shire of Capel's 137 reserves within the highly biodiverse South West Region. It sets to establish a clear, strategic direction for managing these natural assets over the coming years, ensuring they continue to provide ecological, social, cultural and economic benefit to community.
This strategy reflects the Shire's commitment to conserving biodiversity, improving ecosystem health and resilience, restoring degraded environments, and fostering community stewardship through partnerships with landholders, schools, volunteer groups, Traditional Owners and key stakeholders.
The Strategy is structured around three interconnected strategic themes that guide the Shire's management priorities and actions:
- Natural Environment, Assets and Biodiversity – Protecting and restoring native vegetation, waterways, wetlands and wildlife habitat while improving ecological resilience and biodiversity outcomes.
- Coastal Infrastructure – Managing and protecting coastal reserves through sustainable infrastructure, dune stabilisation, erosion management and climate adaptation to improve the resilience of the coastline.
- Green Spaces, Recreation and Ecotourism – Enhancing public open spaces and natural areas to provide accessible, high-quality recreational opportunities while promoting environmental education, nature-based tourism and community appreciation of the Shire's unique landscapes.
If you have comments, questions or feedback relating to this strategy, please email us at info@capel.wa.gov.au or call us on (08) 9727 0222 and ask to speak to our Natural Resource Management officer.
