Bicentennial eco boardwalk: Canning proposes new walking path across Wilson wetlands for WA’s 200th birthday

A new eco boardwalk could soon run across the Wilson wetlands to celebrate Western Australia’s 200th anniversary as a colony.

The project will install a footpath from Riverton Bridge to Castledare, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to access the Canning Riverfront and Kent Street Weir without having to navigate busy roads.

Mayor Patrick Hall told PerthNow this would connect the area’s Aboriginal heritage and environment with the local community.

“This is a great way to introduce people and connect them to the natural world,” he said.

“It’s also important for researchers to get into wetlands. How do you do that without a boardwalk like this?”

“By connecting us to Kent Street Weir, where the Canning River Eco Education Center is located, it fills the existing walking and cycling gap. It’s all about connecting the environment and community.”

The Wilson Residents and Ratepayers Association introduced a resolution three years ago at its annual voter meeting asking the city to support a boardwalk.

Mr Hall said the council had since been working behind the scenes with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to progress the project and manage the environmental impacts it could have on the river.

The council is also consulting with Whadjuk community groups and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch to ensure Indigenous lands are respected.

“Five or six years ago Canning received non-expiring section 18 approval under the Aboriginal Heritage Act,” Mr Hall said.

“The City respectfully consulted with traditional trustees as a first step, and we will continue to work with the DBCA.”

WA’s bicentenary falls in 2029, the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Swan River colony. This will also mark 50 years since Canning was declared a city.

Mr Hall said the timing could not be better to embark on an ambitious project to both honor the milestones and win funding support ahead of the 2029 State election year.

“The biggest hurdle will be funding, but if the State and Federal governments are going to fund a meaningful project for Western Australia to commemorate the 200th anniversary of this colony, it will be in 2029,” he said.

“If all this works by this date… the people of WA will celebrate and want to see it.”

Mr Hall has already begun testing public reaction to the idea via a Facebook post.

“An eco-boardwalk winding across the Wilson Wetlands (from Riverton Bridge to Castledare) has been on the radar of the Wilson Residents and Ratepayers Association for years and occasionally on the city’s drawing board,” he said.

“Similar projects have been operating in sensitive wetlands in Bayswater and Maylands (and other states) for many years with great success and support from these communities.”

Social media response has been positive so far; Many participants praised this idea and explained what they would like to see in the project.

One person commented, “Great idea, Pat. I love that you’re thinking outside of the square. Maybe there’s an opportunity here to include disabled people and people with special needs in the construction work of the walk.”

Another person said: “Great idea. I think it’s a no-brainer for the river to create a real connection for the community. Maybe some historical talks and walks would be a great fundraiser for this. I know some of the aboriginal walks around Bicton are very popular.”

The Wilson Residents and Taxpayers Association, which is heavily involved in the project, encouraged Wilson residents to attend meetings to learn the new information firsthand.

Mr Hall said the council hoped to hold a meeting with the DBCA in May and planned to organize community engagement if the project went ahead.