The National Trust of Australia (WA) will prepare an Interpretation Plan to guide the future of Perth’s internationally recognised Swan and Canning Riverpark following the funding approval of a Lotterywest grant by the Premier, the Hon Colin Barnett. National Trust of Australia CEO Tom Perrigo said the $118,700 Lotterywest grant demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the heritage of the Swan and Canning Rivers for present and future generations. “The Interpretation Plan will provide a strategy for communicating the most significant themes and stories about the heritage values of Perth’s unique river corridor,” Mr Perrigo said.
New Funding approved for Swan Canning Riverpark Plan
The National Trust of Australia (WA) will prepare an Interpretation Plan to guide the future of Perth’s internationally recognised Swan and Canning Riverpark following the funding approval of a Lotterywest grant by the Premier, the Hon Colin Barnett.
National Trust of Australia CEO Tom Perrigo said the $118,700 Lotterywest grant demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the heritage of the Swan and Canning Rivers for present and future generations.
“The Interpretation Plan will provide a strategy for communicating the most significant themes and stories about the heritage values of Perth’s unique river corridor,” Mr Perrigo said.
“It’s an exceptional opportunity to make accessible Perth’s distinctive natural, Aboriginal and historic values to local, national and international visitors,” he said.
The Lotterywest grant together with significant financial support for this project from both the Swan River Trust and the National Trust brings a $284,000 investment in the social, economic and environments benefits to community.
Swan River Trust General Manager Rod Hughes said interpretation planning for natural and cultural heritage of the rivers would add significant value to the network of paths around the river and foreshore parks in general.
“Perth’s major rivers, the Swan and Canning – Derbarl Yerrigan and Djarlgarro Beelier – and their surrounding floodplains comprise a landscape which has sustained the Noongar community for more than 40,000 years, while providing an historic, economic and recreational foundation for the broader community,” Mr Hughes said.
There are approximately 450 natural, Aboriginal and historic heritage sites across the Swan Riverpark including the Swan and Canning Rivers (Derbarl Yerrigan and Djarlgarro Beelier) which are listed on the Department of Indigenous Affairs Register.
“The rivers have continuing spiritual significance to the Noongar people – one of the world’s oldest cultures – and have determined the location of Perth as the major population centre and political capital of Western Australia,” Mr Hughes said.
Mr Perrigo said a team of heritage specialists had been engaged by the National Trust to undertake the project which is expected to be completed during 2013.
“I also encourage all the community to share their experiences and feelings about the Swan and Canning Rivers by contributing to the Rivers of Emotion project at www.riversofemotions.org.au. This innovative project in partnership with UWA’s Centre for the History of Emotions allows everyone to upload memories and stories as well as soundscapes, images and movies that will inform the interpretation plan and the riverside trails,” Mr Perrigo said.
For more information contact Gina Pickering Interpretation Plan Project Manager on 9321 6088 or 0408 58 4404
