North Lake is in the Eastern chain of Lakes that runs parallel to the coast, and is one lake which makes up the Beeliar Regional Park. It is 150 hectares and comprises of North Lake, Horse Paddock Swamp (Ibis Swamp), Lower Swamp (Frog Swamp), Roe Swamp and the Dampland areas. The soils are the interface between the Bassendean and Spearwood sands, as well as the Herdsman soils around the dampland areas. The swamps and lake edges are Bassendean Swamps. This means the vegetation in these various locations will be quite different.
The reserve is in various degrees of degradation; the western side (park), eastern side and Horse Paddock Swamp (Ibis Swamp) (southwest corner) is completely degraded, The southern side to Roe Swamp is degraded to good condition, as is Lower Swamp (Frog Swamp). The northern side is degraded to excellent condition the further east you go, while Roe Swamp is in very good condition, this could improve if the Arum Lily is removed.
The reserve was a semi-permanent campsite of the Beeliar Aboriginal tribe prior to European settlement and there are several archeological sites in North Lake. This has meant that the reserve has been listed on the register of mythological sites. European settlement saw the western edge of the lake used as an area of market gardens. As time progressed the-area around North Lake saw the area sub-divided into housing development-, this started with Kardinya in 1969. In 1972 to 1986 the area known as Horse Paddock Swamp was a horse agistment area which has severely degraded this location.
The vegetation of North Lake is quite diverse and has some geographical
restricted species and priority species. The Friends of North Lake vision
is that North Lake and the surrounding bushland are protected in their
entirety and managed as a conservation reserve with linkages to other bushland
reserves, and that the community appreciates the beauty and value of North
Lake as a place for indigenous flora and fauna to flourish in the urban
landscape. Its aims and objectives are;
a) To ensure that North Lake and its surrounding bushland are preserved.
b) To assist in the management of North Lake as a conservation reserve
in conjunction with the managing body.
c) To raise community awareness, understanding and appreciation of
the value of North Lake in particular and urban bushland in general.
d) To network with other Friends groups and groups working in the bush
regeneration field
Posted 28, December 2001