The WALGA Environment Event Series is designed to meet the needs of the Local Government sector, and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and networking with other interested organisations on a range of relevant issues. WALGA also partners with other events of relevance to the sector. Approximately six events are held per year.

Upcoming events can be found here. Below you can find more information on past events and access event presentations:

Managing Sediment Loss During Urban Development

WALGA and Perth NRM jointly hosted a workshop on Managing Sediment Loss During Urban Development on 8 November 2019 in Perth. The workshop provided information on the role of Local Government in managing sediment loss during building and development, tools and actions to assist manage the environmental and financial impacts, and the importance of joint responsibility and collaboration. A real time participant poll identified critical issues and solutions, and highlighted the continuing need to improve WA's management of this issue. The presentations can be found below:

Field Training on Plant (Native and Weed) Recognition in natural areas

WALGA provided field training on Plant (Native and Weed) Recognition in Natural Areas on 26 September, 2019, in the southern Perth metropolitan region. The training focused on the key diagnostic characteristics of three vegetation complexes, ranging from the Swan Coastal Plain (coastal heath and banksia woodlands) through to the Darling Scarp (jarrah forest). Identification of common weed species in the four main weed groups (grasses, broadleaf, bulb and woody weeds) in wetland and dryland environments was covered, as was the distinguishing features of native and weed species with a similar growth form (e.g. grasses). Resources from the day can be found below:

Pest Animal Biosecurity Management

The WALGA Pest Animal Biosecurity Forum was held on 22 August, 2019 in Perth. The event focused on the various governance structures that provide the biosecurity framework for WA, the latest research and development in control methods and collaborative approaches to on-ground programs explored through case studies. The presentations can be found below:

Building Positive Partnerships with Aboriginal Communities

The WALGA Community and Environment teams hosted a forum on 6 August in Perth to assist Local Government to develop strong, ongoing relationships with local Aboriginal communities. The forum recognised and celebrated the successes so far, and continued the focus on sharing cultural heritage and building community capacity. The forum was attended by 170 delegates from across the state.

The New Normal: Emergency Management in a Changing Climate

WALGA held a sell-out event on Wednesday, 12 June about the ‘new normal’ of catastrophic weather risks and the implications this has for Local Governments and others engaged in emergency management and planning. Presentations covered a wide variety of topics including climate science, past disasters and approaches to embedding climate change considerations into emergency management and building community resilience. The presentations can be found below:

Management of Roadside Vegetation

WALGA hosted the Management of Roadside Vegetation events in April in Margaret River, in May in Northam, and in August in Dardanup. The events focused on ways to improve the management of roadsides to better protect vegetation condition and resilience. Local Government case studies specific to each region demonstrated how the conservation of vegetation can be addressed during road planning and maintenance works. The presentation can be found below:

Measuring the Urban Forest Canopy

The joint WALGA and Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) event held in February 2019. The event provided an overview of the technical aspects of data derived from the Urban Monitor, highlighting aspects that need to be considered when interpreting results of mapping and statistical analysis. Presentations were followed by a workshop session that explored the user experience of Urban Monitor data and derived geospatial applications, providing an opportunity to discuss any changes or additions to the current products. The presentations can be found below:

Weed Management

The WALGA Weed Management Event was held in February 2019, hosted by the City of South Perth.  The event focused on the overarching legislation and strategies that provide a framework for coordinated weed management in WA and Australia, the latest approaches in integrated weed management, and the risk assessment and liability considerations for chemical herbicide use. The presentations can be found below:

Prioritisation of Natural Areas for Management

The WALGA Prioritisation of  Natural Areas for Management Workshop was held in December 2018. The workshop focused on effective bushland management practices, exploring opportunities and benefits of collaborating and knowledge sharing across government, community groups and private landholders for more effective natural resource management. The presentations can be found below:

Renewable Technologies

The WALGA Renewable Technologies event was held in November 2018. The focus of the event was larger renewable technology projects, and emerging renewable technologies, and the opportunities these technologies provide for Local Governments to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions, increase amenity and improve service reliability. One recurring theme identified on the day was the need for WA electricity market reform to enable an accelerated energy transition, and to enable larger renewable energy projects in WA. The presentations can be found below:

Embedding Sustainability and Enabling Behaviour Change

At the WALGA Event on Embedding Sustainability and Enabling Behaviour Change in November 2018, presentations focused on mechanisms that can be used to embed sustainability within and across Local Government, as well as information on the underlying psychological principles of behaviour change. The presentations can be found below:

Wetland Management and Restoration

WALGA and Perth NRM jointly hosted an event on Wetland Management and Restoration in September 2018. The event focused on interventions to address wetland water quality issues, such as algal blooms and aquatic weeds, as well as successful wetland restoration techniques that have transformed degraded sites into thriving ecosystems. The presentations can be found below:

Sustainable Transport and Emerging Technologies

WALGA hosted an event on Sustainable Transport and Emerging Technologies in August 2018. The event provided information on integrated transport planning and how to deliver improved pedestrian and cycling environments for local communities. In the afternoon session, insights into electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell technology were provided. The presentations can be found below:

Tree Health and Resilience

WALGA hosted an event on Tree Health and Resilience in May 2018. Improving tree health and resilience is an essential component of retaining and increasing green space to provide for liveable communities, public health and local biodiversity. The event provided information on the latest research and management practices to ensure that urban forests are resilient to current and emerging threats, including a changing climate, pests and disease. The presentations can be found below:

Land Use Planning for Improved Environmental Outcomes

WALGA hosted an event on Land Use Planning for Improved Environmental Outcomes in February 2018. The event provided information on how Local Government can utilise the power of the Western Australian planning system to improve environmental outcomes during the land development process.  The presentations can be found below:

Improving the Water Quality of Waterways and Wetlands

The Shire of Collie hosted an event on Improving the Water Quality of Waterways and Wetlands in November 2017. The event provided information on initiatives that aim to improve the water quality of riverine, estuarine and wetland environments at the local and catchment scale. The presentations can be found below:

Citizen Science

WALGA hosted the Citizen Science event in September 2017, with former WA Chief Scientist and keynote speaker Professor Lyn Beazley being among the preseners. The event provided an overview of a range of citizen science programs, and demonstrated how scientists and local communities can work together to ensure ecological research informs policy development and increases environmental awareness. The presentations can be found below:

Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Preservation

At the Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Preservation event in August 2017, WA's Aboriginal Land and Sea Councils, the Department of Lands, Planning and Heritage, the Western Australian Ingidenous Tourism Operators Council, and the Local Governments of Perth, Swan and York presented information to assist Local Goverments engage with Aboriginal groups when planning and undertaking projects within their municipalities. The presentations can be found below:

Feral Animal Management

At the Feral Animal Management event in June 2017, the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Department of Agriculture and Food WA, Murdoch University, WA Apiarists' Society, City of Stirling, WALGA and feral animal contractors presented information on research on current and emerging feral animal control issues and management techniques. The presentations can be found below:

Habitat Creation and Wildlife Corridors

At the Habitat Creation and Wildlife Corridors event in May 2017, the WA Biodiversity Science Institute, UWA, Perth NRM, the Water Corporation and the City of Perth presented on creating green spaces in the urban environment and assisting wildlife move through the landscape.  The presentations can be found below:

Bushfire Planning and Biodiversity Management

The Planning and Environment Policy Units hosted a Bushfire Planning and Biodiversity Management event in February 2017 in Perth, and in March 2017 in Busselton. The presentations can be found below: