Kent Street Sand Pit

Project Vision

Part of the wider environmentally significant Jirdarup Bushland Precinct that includes the remnant banksia woodland of the Kensington Bushland Reserve and George Street Reserve. The Kent Street Sand Pit site presents an important opportunity to reimagine a former landfill for the community and restore the habitat of endangered and rare species, including the Black Cockatoos.

The Concept Plan for the project covers more than 4.5 hectares and was developed after local community group Friends of Jirdarup Bushland petitioned the Council to improve the site. In addition to community consultation, the project has sought significant input from Curtin University’s Aboriginal Elder Emeritus Professor Simon Forrest and botanist Professor Kingsley Dixon, as well as members of the Town’s indigenous Mindeera Advisory Group. Input from Traditional Owners of the land informed key features in the Concept Design, which includes yarning spaces and knowledge exchange nodes for sharing Aboriginal stories and history, and conceptual alignment of walking trails in accordance with cultural mapping of the site.

The result is a Concept Design which reflects the Town’s and Community’s desire to seek ecological restoration of the site in a way that will support biodiversity, facilitate cultural restoration and provide a place for residents and visitors to recreate and enjoy access to an authentic banksia woodland area.

Project Objectives

• Restore the site to Banksia Woodland, which will enhance the neighbouring Kensington Bushland
• Provide habitat for native fauna, including Black Cockatoos
• Contribute to our Urban Forest Strategy objective of achieving 20 per cent tree canopy
• Provide a valuable passive recreation asset for surrounding residents and visitors
• Connection to the area’s indigenous heritage, which includes yarning spaces and knowledge exchange nodes for the sharing of Aboriginal stories and history, and conceptual alignment of walking trails in accordance with cultural mapping of the site.

The Opportunity

Lets create a partnership to build safe environments that benefit our local flora and fauna, while providing a space that builds connections for our community, both to nature and to each other. During the pandemic the increase in usage of our local parks and outdoor spaces grew significantly. This phenomenon brought with it an increase in passive surveillance and connection between neighbours, which is a known factor in reducing crime. We want to take an unused piece of land close to the city and create an urban oasis that will further facilitate this connection, while encouraging more birds to the area – especially endangered species such as the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo – while increasing our tree canopy. The restoration of remnant banksia woodland which is native to the area will also provide an educational opportunity for visitors and work to restore balance to the local ecosystem.

Find out more

For full details visit our dedicated project page below.

Kent Street Sand Pit | Works and Projects