Save Churchlands Bushland

09/10/2026

🌳 The History of Churchlands Bushland

While we patiently await further progress and updates on the current government review process, we thought it would be a good opportunity to look back at the history of Churchlands Bushland, how we arrived at this point, and the many changes that have taken place in and around the area over the past 70 years.

1. 1955: Stephenson-Hepburn Plan

Perth's 1955 Stephenson-Hepburn Plan identified the Churchlands Bushland area for future road infrastructure.

2. 1953–1976: WA Police Horse Stables

The Western Australian Police operated horse stables in and around the Churchlands Bushland area between 1953 and 1976.

3. 1960s: Claremont Teachers College

In the 1960s, Claremont Teachers College expanded to Churchlands, alongside Churchlands Bushland. The institution later became part of the Western Australian College of Advanced Education (WACAE), before becoming Edith Cowan University (ECU) in 1991.

4. 1980s–1990s: Residential Development

The Churchlands area experienced significant residential development throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

5. 1990s: Main Roads Ownership

Despite surrounding residential development, Churchlands Bushland remained under the ownership of Main Roads WA

6. 2008: ECU Closes

Edith Cowan University closed its Churchlands campus in 2008, making way for the Churchlands Green residential estate.

7. 2010s: Churchlands Green

The former ECU campus was redeveloped into the Churchlands Green residential estate, bringing significant new housing to the area, right alongside the Churchlands Bushland.

8. May 2024: Connector Road Proposal

A proposal for a connector road through Churchlands Bushland was put forward in May 2024, raising significant community concern about the potential loss of bushland.

9. June 2024: Save Churchlands Bushland Established

The Save Churchlands Bushland community group was established in June 2024 to advocate for the protection and conservation of the bushland.

10. 2025–2026: Main Roads Review

Main Roads Western Australia completed its review of the surrounding road network, an important step in determining the future of the bushland.

11. 2026: DPLH Planning Review

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) is currently preparing a report for the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), which will help guide future decisions about the area.

🌿 Looking to the future

After more than 70 years of planning and development around Churchlands Bushland, we hope the next chapter will see this important natural area permanently protected, preserved and restored for future generations.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support the protection of Churchlands Bushland 💚

05/10/2026

🌳 ✏️ CHURCHLANDS BUSHLAND – PLANNING UPDATE

We made contact today with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) to follow up on the current status of the Churchlands Bushland.

DPLH has confirmed that the environmental study of the Churchlands Bushland has now begun, and the process towards (hopefully) having the land transferred to the City of Stirling for management, remains unchanged.

Based on City of Stirling Council Minutes and the Main Roads WA review, it is our understanding that the 'Connector Road' is no longer being considered.

The DPLH report is currently planned to be presented to the WA Planning Commission in the first half of 2027, so unfortunately there is still some waiting ahead of us!

It’s positive to know that the environmental study is now underway and the process is moving forward.

We’ll keep you posted with any updates.

Thanks for all of your support 🌿 💚

30/09/2026

This is a great opportunity to tell the City of Stirling how much the community values the Churchlands Bushland 🌳

Survey link is here: https://survey.thinkfieldpanel.com.au/tf/LivingLocally

We've walked every suburb. We've listened. Now we want to hear every story.

Two years ago, through the City's Local Convos program, we walked every suburb and listened to what mattered most to local communities.

In Balcatta, you told us development should better balance growth with tree retention and neighbourhood character. Since then, the City has funded a Tree Project Officer to strengthen compliance and tree retention outcomes.

In Carine, you told us more tree shade was needed along Carine Regional Open Space. Since then, more than 5,000 additional trees and shrubs have been planted along the Okely Road side of the reserve.

In Gwelup, you highlighted concerns about dogs entering lake areas. Since then, targeted Ranger patrols and education programs have continued around local wetlands.

In Hamersley, you asked for a Local library hub. The new Stirling Libraries – Hamersley Book Nook now gives locals a 24/7 ‘click and collect’ service extending the accessibility of Stirling Libraries to our customers.

In Stirling, you told us more trees and greener streets were important. Since then, more than 400 trees have been scheduled for planting across the suburb.

Now it's time to check in again.

What's changed? What makes your suburb great? What should we focus on together?

Be the voice of your local community. Complete the Living Locally Community Survey and help shape what it means to live locally.

Many of these projects were made possible through the support of your ward Councillors. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Karlo Perkov - City of Stirling and Councillor Chris Hatton - City of Stirling, for your continued commitment to the community.

COMPLETE SURVEY | www.stirling.wa.gov.au/livinglocally

06/09/2026

Registration is now open to get one of these special Macadamia trees to help feed our Carnaby's.

***EDIT: REGISTRATION CLOSED. OVERSUBSCRIBED!!!***
Wow! Your response has been unbelievable! It really lifts our hearts to see how passionate everyone is about our beloved cockatoos!

We had hoped to get a few more registrations than we needed so that we could carefully select the best locations based on known Carnabys locations, flock movements, etc.

We have had over 1,000 registrations in less than 3 days for 300 trees. This means we can really optimise the Macadamia tree distribution to give the best outcome for the Carnabys, because that's what it's all about in the end.

Thanks to everyone who has registered, shared, commented, etc. We are planning to have another Maca run next year, and might get a few more trees...!

The Carnabys need our help, thank you for being part of the solution!
******

We are excited to have 300 Macadamia trees for people to purchase to help address the Carnabys' critical food shortage.

While this does not negate the need for habitat restoration and stopping land clearing , these new fast-fruiting cultivars can grow crops within 2-3 years! They are the first of their kind in WA, thanks to the support of the University of Queensland and The Macadamia Conservation Trust.

The trees cost $49 each and will need to be collected from Floreat area at mid-morning on a Saturday in September.

Register your interest here:
https://nuts.corridorsforcarnabys.com

Carnaby’s Crusaders
Winjan Aboriginal Corporation
5 Rivers NRM
The University of Western Australia
Natural Area

08/08/2026

This is a wonderful opportunity for a citizen science project. Please follow the Corridors for Carnaby's FB page and get involved.

WANT TO HELP? SEND US YOUR CARNABYS VIDEOS!

As well as providing vitally needed native food sources for Carnabys, this project also has some critically needed research objectives.

We need to better understand the distribution, number and behaviour of Carnabys, on a species, regional, flock and individual bird level AND how this varies between seasons and years.

So we are asking you to send us your videos!

This link allows you to instantly record and upload videos from your phone when you see our feathered friends, as well as upload previously recorded videos.

With enough videos, tagged with time and location, we can start to unravel some of the critical knowledge needed to get the best outcomes for Carnabys.

We look forward to the arduous task of coming through hours of footage of these adorable birds. Such a hard job!😉

f you would like to help us if we do get overwhelmed, please message this page.

https://upload.corridorsforcarnabys.com

Videos will also be used to train the Artificial Intelligence models we are developing. If you are concerned about the use of your videos, know that these are targeted, specialised AI models designed to be run locally on your phone or computer once developed.

Carnaby’s Crusaders
Sabrina Hahn - Hort with Heart
Winjan Aboriginal Corporation
5 Rivers NRM
Natural Area
The University of Western Australia

28/07/2026

Carnaby’s cockatoos are critically endangered — and they’re struggling more every year. As bushland is cleared, the mature trees they rely on for food before their migration to the wheatbelt are disappearing.

We caused this habitat loss. We must be the solution.
The Corridors for Carnaby’s program has planted 50,000 trees thanks to Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund. Our State Government has contributed nothing. And while these trees are essential, they won’t produce seed for years. The birds need help now to survive long enough to benefit from future plantings.

If we want Carnaby’s to survive, we must act now — protect remaining habitat, restore corridors, and support emergency feeding until the landscape recovers. Their future depends on what we choose to do today.

Protect habitat. Restore corridors. Support emergency feeding. Carnaby’s cannot wait.

10/07/2026

Well done Churchlands.

05/07/2026

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came and helped with today's cleanup of the Churchlands Bushland 🌳 🙏

Over 30 locals kindly gave up their Sunday morning to collect assorted rubbish, tyres, kitchen tiles, metal sheets, old signs, and other discarded items which has left the bushland looking even more beautiful than before ✨

A big thanks to Michael Hallam from hohm property for generously sponsoring the free coffee van, and also the team at Yes Coffee Co for providing the delicious hot coffee ☕️

Stay tuned for future events and for updates on this precious section of nature 🌿

04/07/2026

Churchlands Bushland Cleanup - Tomorrow Morning! 🗑️ 🌳

📅 Sunday 5 July 2026
⏰ 9:00am – 10:30am
📍Corner of Coneflower Corner & Paperheath Parade, Churchlands
🧤 Gardening gloves, long pants, sturdy shoes
👋 Everyone welcome

And thanks to, Michael Hallam from hohm Property Group a FREE COFFEE van will be on-site after the clean-up ☕️

Come and lend a hand, meet your neighbours, and grab a free coffee! Hope to see you there! ☀️

02/07/2026

Churchlands Bushland Cleanup - Reminder 🗑️ 🌳

A friendly reminder about the cleanup THIS SUNDAY!

📅 Sunday 5 July 2026
⏰ 9:00am – 10:30am

As a reward for everyone's efforts, Michael Hallam from hohm Property Group has kindly agreed to sponsor a FREE COFFEE van, so that will be available after the clean-up ☕️

The weather is looking fine for this Sunday morning so looking forward to seeing many of you there! ☀️