Save Churchlands Bushland

29/05/2026

Great article in the POST Newspapers today highlighting the frustration of locals over bushland that has been under threat for far too long.

This community has fought hard to protect this special place, and it’s time the bushland finally received the care, respect and TLC it deserves — with the voices of the community genuinely listened to.

Hopefully this is the beginning of a new chapter where the focus shifts from threats and uncertainty to restoration, protection and community connection with this incredible natural area.

28/05/2026

Where are we at and what is the process from here?

26/05/2026

At a time when some still fail to understand the value of our local bushland, it is refreshing to hear from those who see firsthand the difference it makes to young people and the wider community.

The Principal of Churchlands Senior High School recently wrote about the school’s connection to the Abby Brook reserve and the important role it plays in student wellbeing, environmental stewardship and community pride.

This is exactly why protecting and restoring our remaining bushland matters. These natural spaces are not vacant land waiting for development — they are living classrooms, wildlife habitats, places of healing and spaces that help connect people to nature and each other.

Here is what she had to say:

Our school takes great pride in our students and staff who are looking after Abby Brook, we have an excellent relationship with the local counsel who co fund the work we do. We have some incredibly passionate students who feel real ownership over the reserve and who spend a great deal of their own time looking after it.

This year we launched a new year 12 leadership program, where we now have a group of year 12 student captains who have sustainability as their portfolio areas, and these students are doing a great job across the school and the community, from recycling to fund raising to working on the reserve.

The role Abby Brook plays in our school is very important to us, it is great for staff to go for walks, but we also take students on walks through the bush land when they are upset, and I know there is research out there on the effect on being our doors and in bushlands setting and how it impacts mental health and wellbeing.

Churchlands is very lucky to be situated where we are and to have a bush reserve so close to our school,

21/05/2026

For the first time, we are seeing a positive sign that the community is being listened to.

Mayor Mark Irwin has put forward a Notice of Motion for consideration at the next Council Meeting.

The meeting will be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday 9 June 2026 in Council Chambers.

See below for the details of the motion and the reasons behind it.

This is the first encouraging step we have seen from any official body that suggests they may finally be listening to the community.

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

"IT’S TIME FOR A DECISION.

For more than 70 years, the Churchlands bushland between Pearson Street and Empire Avenue has existed in planning limbo.

Originally reserved under the 1955 Stephenson-Hepburn Plan for a potential future highway, the area has remained largely untouched bushland for decades. Today, it sits at the centre of an increasingly confusing and fragmented planning process involving multiple government agencies.

Here’s where things currently stand:

• 1955 – Land reserved under Perth’s first metropolitan masterplan (Stephenson-Hepburn Plan)
• 1953–1976 – WA Police Horse Stables operated in the area north of the current Churchlands Green estate
• 1970s onwards – Land managed under the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) – Stephenson Highway Road Reserve
• 2019 – Connector road idea formally raised during City of Stirling traffic consultations
• 2021 – Traffic diversion changes significantly reduced traffic volumes through Churchlands Green
• 2024 – City of Stirling begins investigating a concept design for a connector road
• 2025 – Main Roads WA completes a review and refers recommendations to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, which will then advise the WA Planning Commission

Meanwhile:
• the bushland continues to deteriorate,
• agencies continue referring residents between one another,
• and the broader community still has no clear answer regarding the future of the site.

Recent responses from Main Roads WA have confirmed that responsibility for the land is currently split between:
• Main Roads WA,
• the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage,
• and Newman College.

At the same time, the City of Stirling continues investigating a connector road proposal despite also having an Urban Forest Plan aimed at increasing tree canopy and biodiversity across the city.

A recent local community survey showed strong opposition to the proposed connector road and strong support for long-term preservation of the bushland.

Regardless of where people stand on the road itself, one thing is becoming increasingly clear:

Local residents want some clarity and a decision.

The bushland, the community, and future generations cannot remain in uncertainty forever."

19/05/2026

This is the response I received from Main Roads after enquiring about the recent cutting down of trees in the bushland. I wrote back acknowledging that I should have been more precise in identifying the location and that I should have provided GPS coordinates or a marked-up map. I have now provided a map with approximate location and Trish has agreed to have their managing agent investigate the area again.

18/05/2026

Response from Rita Saffioti’s office.

I was surprised to learn that the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) will make a recommendation to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), and that the WAPC will ultimately be responsible for deciding the future of the Churchlands road reservation.

What concerns me is the lack of transparency around the actual process from here. What is the exact procedure? What recommendations are being considered? What options are on the table for this bushland corridor?

If decisions are being made about the future of such an important environmental area, the community deserves to clearly understand:

how the process works;
who is making the final decisions;
what possible outcomes are being considered; and
how the public will be consulted.

Given the significance of this bushland corridor for wildlife, biodiversity and the local community, transparency and public involvement should be a priority from the very beginning.

Why can't they at least be honest about the process and possible outcomes?

16/05/2026

As things continue to progress regarding the future of the Churchlands bushland corridor, we are looking at setting up an email contact list so people can be kept directly informed of important developments, rather than relying on Facebook posts alone.

This would also help if we need community support quickly for things such as writing submissions, contacting councillors, MPs or government departments.

If you would like to be included on the email list, please send a private message with your email address.

In particular, it would be great to hear from people who:
• live in Churchlands and surrounding areas
• are willing to send occasional emails or submissions when needed
• want to stay actively involved in protecting the bushland corridor

Community support has already made a real difference and it is important we continue to show decision makers that this issue matters deeply to local residents.

Please share with others who may be interested.

16/01/2026

What a great letter from Nina in The Post newspaper today. I hope Newman College is still monitoring this page and reads it. Perhaps Newman parents here could make sure the College Head and relevant science teachers see it, and suggest that Newman run a similar program. There’s no need to travel — it’s right on their doorstep and could be a fantastic asset to both the school and the wider community.