Environmental programs

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Lake Richmond.

Learn about the environmental and sustainability programs the City and our partners organise throughout the year and how to get involved.

Sustainable Parenting Program 

A program for parents and carers of babiesPhoto credit: Earthside EcoBums

As part of our pledge for sustainability, we endeavour to support our community as well as local businesses and production and so have partnered with Earthside EcoBums to deliver subsidies on reusable nappies and menstrual products for our residents. 

Our cloth nappy and menstrual product subsidies offer financial support to residents choosing sustainable alternatives to disposable nappies and sanitary products, significantly reducing landfill waste.

The subsidies are open until 28 June 2025.

Get involved

Why reusable over disposable products?

Earthside EcoBums reusable nappiesDid you know that it can take over 400 years for a single-use nappy or a menstrual product to break down? Or that disposable nappies use more energy and more land resources in their production and generate 20 times more solid waste than the reusable alternatives?

With millions of these disposable products ending up in landfills in Australia each year, these statistics underline the crucial need to move towards more sustainable practices.

Reusable products have a much lower environmental impact than disposable options. Contributing to reduced waste to landfill and lower greenhouse gas emissions, reusable options are gentle on the planet and more cost effective for you in the long run.

 

 

 

Price comparison

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Item

Average unit cost

No. of uses

Cost per use

Tampon

$0.50

1

$0.50

Disposable pad

$0.40

1

$0.40

Reusable pad

$23.00

100 +

$0.23

Disposable nappy

$0.20

1

$0.20

Reusable cloth nappy

$25.00

400 +

$0.06

Cloth Nappy and Menstrual Product Subsidies

We understand how busy you are so we've tried to make our subsidy program as flexible as possible to meet your needs.

To receive your products, we ask you to either attend an in-person workshop or book an online consultation with Earthside EcoBums which will equip you with all the tips and tricks of how to use reusable products and make the change one that lasts.Earthside Eco Bums reusable nappies

Subsidy options 

Option one: Reusable menstrual products subsidy

Amount and details

A subsidy of up to $25 per resident is available for the purchase of new reusable menstrual products from Earthside EcoBums.

Eligibility criteria

  • Be a resident of the City of Rockingham
  • Provide proof of address to Earthside EcoBums upon purchasing the item(s)

How to apply

  1. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and have read the terms and conditions
  2. Purchase your reusable menstrual productss or related eligible products from Earthside EcoBums
  3. If eligible, the subsidy will be applied upon purchase.

Browse for Earthside EcoBums reusable productsopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

 


Option two: Cloth nappies and associated products subsidy on Earthside EcoBums products

Amount and details

Residents can apply for a 50% subsidy, up to a maximum of $100, for purchasing modern cloth nappies from Earthside Eco Bums. This subsidy also covers associated products such as cloth baby wipes, nursing breast pads, and wet bags.

Eligibility criteria

How to apply

  1. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and have read the terms and conditions
  2. Purchase your cloth nappies or related eligible products from Earthside EcoBums
  3. If eligible, subsidy will be applied upon purchase.

Browse for Earthside EcoBums reusable productsopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

 


Option three: Earthside Ecobum's Cloth nappies free starter kit

Details

Residents can choose to receive an Earthside EcoBum's starter kit for free (saving almost $180). The kit includes four one-size-fits-most nappies and a nappy bag. 

Eligibility criteria

How to apply

  1. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and have read the terms and conditions
  2. Attend a workshop and provide proof of address
  3. Receive the starter pack at the end of the workshop OR pay postage costs (if not collecting in person) to Earthside EcoBums.

Book Earthside EcoBums online consultationopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

 


Option four: Earthside Ecobum's Cloth nappies starter kit at a subsidised price

Residents can choose to receive an Earthside EcoBum's starter kit for the subsidised cost of $60 (saving almost $200).

The kit includes six one-size-fits-most nappies and a nappy bag. 

Eligibility criteria

  • Be a resident of the City of Rockingham
  • Provide proof of address
  • Attend a one-on-one online or in-person consultation with Earthside EcoBums at a time that suits
  • Have not applied for the cloth nappy rebate or subsidy previously
  • Pay $60 to Earthside Ecobums for Nappy Starter Kit

How to apply

  1. Register your interest opens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowfor a one-on-one consultation with Earthside EcoBums.
  2. Attend consultation and present your proof of address
  3. Pay $60 and postage costs (if not collecting in person) to Earthside EcoBums.
  4. Nappy Starter pack will be posted to you

Note: The subsidies are open until 28 June 2025.

Book Earthside EcoBums online consultationopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window


Limitations and conditions

  • Each household is eligible for one subsidy for cloth nappies, and one subsidy for reusable menstrual products
  • Applicants must provide proof of address
  • For the cloth nappy subsidy, applicants must have attended a Earthside EcoBums Modern Cloth Nappy workshop or consultation within six months prior to applying

For more information contact the City on (08) 9528 0333 or email customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au.

Events

Earthside EcoBums reusable nappies.Reusable Nappy Workshop

Facilitated by Earthside EcoBums, learn how to kick start your reusable nappy journey and discover the benefits for both your baby and the environment.

Successful workshop participants will be eligible for a reusable nappy subsidy and can either take home a reusable nappy starter pack or purchase reusable nappy products from Earthside EcoBums at a subsidised price. Conditions apply.

 

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Rockingham Reserve Program Lake Richmond

A program for community groups and individuals

Join us and our partners on guided walks, events and initiatives to learn more about our wonderful reserves. With an abundance of local flora and fauna, come and join us to understand how the City is home to most outstanding reserves.

 

 

About

Our Natural Environment

The City of Rockingham is situated within the unique biogeographic region of south-western Australia, which is recognised as one of the thirty global biodiversity hotspots. Areas of regional significance are subject to formal national or state protection mechanisms including; State Conservation Estate, Bush Foreveropens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window sites and Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) Parks and Reserves.

  • Bush Forever Sites seek to protect regionally significant areas of bushland and wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain.

  • The City of Rockingham contains three out of 495 Bush Forever Sites. 

A large proportion of the City’s natural capital forms part of the Rockingham Lakes Regional Parkopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window. These reserves are a vital component of the City’s natural capital, underpinning its identity, prosperity and lifestyle. They encompass a variety of landforms and ecosystems throughout the City’s coastal, wetland and bushland environments and support a diverse assemblage of native flora and fauna. Many of these areas are recognised by the State and Commonwealth governments for their conservation significance for containing Threatened Ecological Communities, priority flora and fauna species or Conservation Category Wetlands.  

Reserves within City of Rockingham form a part of an important ecological linkage that connects areas of conservation value. This major green corridor runs from the coast at Cape Peron via Lake Richmond through to Lake Cooloongup.

For more information on ecological linkages, visit NatureLink Perthopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

Flora

Lake Richmond sedgelandA total of 229 native flora species (78%) and 66 introduced weed species (22%) were recorded across the reserves within City of Rockingham. The species identified within the reserve represented 63 families with the Fabaceae (26 taxa), Poaceae (18 taxa), Asteraceae (15 taxa) and Orchidaceae (14 taxa) families having the most representation. The comprehensive list of plants recorded during the field surveys can be found in our Bushland Management Plan.

What are sedgelands? 

Sedgelands are a type of wetlands that are reliant on permanent moisture for survival. They are particularly important for protection as they are a threatened ecological community. These special wetlands only situate within linear dips between sand dunes. The wetlands provide insight into the evolutionary record of sea level history and climatic changes. 

Plant species in sedgelands

Typical plant species include:

  • acacia rostellifera
  • acacia saligna
  • xanthorrhoea preisii
  • the sedges baumea juncea
  • ficinia nodosa
  • lepidosperma gladiatum
  • the grass poa porphyroclados.

Read more in the Lake Richmond Management Plan. 

Fauna

OverviewWhite faced Heron Willy Wagtail. <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span>

A total of 80 species from 42 families and 71 genera were recorded during the Level 2 Fauna Assessment undertaken in October 2018. This consisted of two amphibian species, 46 bird species, 14 mammal species and 18 reptile species.

A full list of the species recorded within each reserve and across the entire studt area is available in Bushland Management Plan.

Go to our wildlife page to learn more about local fauna. 

Learn moreopens in a new window

 

Frog monitoring

Frogs are known to be good environmental indicators, and as such, were identified by the City to be monitored for the long-term effects of climate change. A baseline assessment of 15 wetlands was initially conducted in 2014 to determine the frog species assemblage within the City. 

Call recording results captured a total of five frog species including C. insignifera (squelching froglet), C. glauerti (clicking frog), L. adelaidensis (slender tree frog), L. moorei (motorbike frog) and L. dorsalis (western banjo frog).

The most common species of frog was the target species, C. insignifera (squelching froglet) with detections at 39 sites and the most species-diverse site was Lake Richmond with five species recorded from each site. Occupancy rates at seasonal wetlands during 2023 was the highest yet recorded.

Positive results recorded in 2023 indicate that wetlands are currently responding well to potential climate change impacts and as such, no management response was triggered for 2024.

Conservation Significant Fauna

Our Bushland Management Plan identifies the conservation sicnificant fauna to include:

  1. Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) - Vulnerable Forest red-tailed black cockatoos depend primarily on marri and jarrah trees for both foraging and nesting. The seeds of both eucalypts are the preferred food source. Hollows within live or dead eucalypts are utilised for nesting purposes. Breeding varies between years and occurs during the fruiting season for jarrahs and marris. These black cockatoos breed in woodland, forest or artificial nest boxes, but may also breed in former woodland or forest that has been reduced to isolated trees. 
  2. Baudin's black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) - Endangered Baudin’s black cockatoos occur primarily in Eucalypt forests, foraging at all strata levels within the forests with a tendency to favour areas containing marri. Breeding generally occurs in the jarrah, marri and karri forests of the southwest of Western Australia in areas averaging more than 750 mm of rainfall annually.
  3. Carnaby’s black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) - Endangered Carnaby’s black cockatoos feed on the seeds, nuts and flowers, of a variety of native and introduced plant species and insect larvae. Food plants generally occur within proteaceous genera such as Banksia, Dryandra, Hakea and Grevillea, but these birds are also known to forage on Eucalypt species in woodland areas. Carnaby’s black cockatoos have also adapted to feeding on exotic species such as pines and cape lilac and weeds such as wild radish and wild geranium. Carnaby’s black cockatoos usually breed between July and December in the hollows of live or dead eucalypts; primarily in Salmon Gum and Wandoo, but also within jarrah, marri and other eucalypt species.
  4. Quenda (Isoodon obesulus fusciventer) - Priority 4. The quenda, which is also known as the southern brown bandicoot, once occurred throughout southwest Western Australia. It now occurs from Guilderton southwards on the Swan Coastal Plain, including the Perth metropolitan area, in jarrah and karri forests and adjacent coastal vegetation complexes. This species inhabits scrubby, often swampy, vegetation with dense cover up to about 1 m high. It feeds in adjacent forest and woodland that is burnt on a regular basis. On the Swan Coastal Plain it is often associated with wetlands with dense vegetation where they feed on fruit, seeds, insects and fungi. 
  5. Perth Lined Slider (Lerista lineata) - Priority 3. This species is restricted to a 90 km sandy coastal strip between Mandurah and Lancelin. It occurs in dunes and sand-plains with heaths as well as Eucalypt-Banksia Woodland. It is one of 71 reptile species occurring in the Perth region which make this area as diverse as any similar sized coastal region in Australia. The Perth slider is a burrowing species which is usually found in loose soil or sand beneath stones, logs, or termite mounds, where they feed on ants, termites and other small insects.
Thrombolites - our oldest living organisms

Thrombolites at Lake Richmond.Lake Richmond is home to a critically endangered thrombolite community. 

What are thrombolites? 

  • complex rock-like formations
  • they are communities of micro-organisms
  • live in the shallow waters of Lake Richmond 

Communities of this nature were the main life forms on Earth in the period between 3,500 and 650 million years ago and were among the first creatures to produce oxygen. Today, thrombolites are found in just a few places around the world such as Lake Richmond!

Tip!

Aboriginal heritage

SignificanceAborginal dancing.

City of Rockingham is situated within Nyoongar Country. Nyoongar Country is an area that holds special significance to its traditional owners with many sacred sites occurring within the region. With the sites being of ceremonial and mythological significane for the Nyuungar people, it is believed that the Waugal, which represents the life and spirit of water, created water bodies surrounded by dune systems through its movement across the lands. 

Identified registered sites of significance can be found on Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry Systemopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

 

Events

Join us on one of our guided walks within the reserves of City of Rockingham. 

To see all upcoming events, please visit our What's On Calendar. 

What's On Calendar

Adopt A Beach program Adopt a Beach logo.

A program for schools

Perth NRM’s Adopt A Beach Program offers fun, hands-on, and curriculum-linked activities that help students conserve and learn about the marine and coastal environment. Adopt A Beach delivers a wide range of incursions and excursions suitable for all primary and secondary students in the Perth metro area.

From beach clean ups to coastal erosion case studies, there is something for every class.

About Adopt A Beach

Why choose Adopt A Beach?

With 37km of pristine coastline providing a home to incredible biodiversity, understanding and appreciating our oceans and coasts is crucial in maintaining a healthy planet. The program helps students connect to nature by using our amazing local beaches as outdoor classrooms. Here (and in the classroom), fun and hands-on activities are delivered that educate students on the importance of our marine and coastal environments, the impact of human activities and the significance of sustainable behaviours and practices. By instilling this appreciation and knowledge, we hope to build a generation committed to caring for our coasts and creating a sustainable future.

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Cost

City of Rockingham schools can access this program for free in 2024/2025 as part of the City's partnership with Perth NRM.

Program Enquiries

All program equiries to address to:

Nora Larry
Adopt A Beach Program Coordinator
nora.larry@perthnrm.com

Adopt-a-Spot program 

A program for community groups, schools and individualsAdopt-A-Spot logo

Take positive action against littering by "adopting-a-spot" through the Keep Australia Beautiful Council. Maybe it's your favourite reserve, a walkway to school, or a local park; the Adopt-a-Spot program is easy and a great way to make a positive change towards a safer future, with free clean-up items provided. For more information on litter and waste education visit our waste education page

 

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