There are several projects being organized at present by both the Wandi Landcare Group and also the Town of Kwinana.

Fire Management Plan for Magenup Lake
A Wandi Landcare Initiative.

Introduction
The central part of Magenup Lake has always been a fire hazard, especially over the hot dry months of the year. Due to the large amount of highly combustible material that covers this area, a fire within would burn very hot and uncontrollably. This situation is worsened if a strong wind comes and fans the fire. Grass and weed wildfires travel much faster than in mixed terrain with terrible consequences. These can be quantified as follows:

• Native wildlife living within this area has no chance to escape if caught out too close to the flames,
• Due to the high temperatures experienced with these types of fires peat that makes up the floor of the lake ignites and causes underground fires that flare up for months,
• Grass fires run hot, fast and are unpredictable so firefighters are refused access due to the elevated risk involved until the fire has run it’s course and the damage is done.

Another problem that has been recently discovered is that of acid sulfate soils. When exposed to air after being disturbed, soils containing iron sulfides produce sulfuric acid and often release toxic quantities of iron, aluminium and heavy metals. This is definitely a situation we want to avoid!

Solution
A Fire Management Plan is being drafted for the Magenup Lake central area. With the help of Captain Steve Treeby and 3rd Lieutenant Bill Tully of the Mandogalup Volunteer Fire Brigade and Brett Brenchley from WWF, we are working towards incorporating a network of slashed firebreaks strategically placed throughout the worst areas of the lake avoiding damaging the native flora. Slashed fire breaks will not lead to acid soil risk. The breaks will be such that they will be deemed safe to use by the fire brigade and in the event of a fire, the fire appliances can safely attend and extinguish the blaze with a minimum risk to life. This will prevent possible loss of native fauna and local property and minimize the peat soil exposed to the air.

Updates 9th July, 2009
The Fire Management Plan has finally been implemented with all the breaks either created or refreshed within the Magenup Lake site. A chain has been placed to prevent unwanted access to the breaks with a gate provisioned for the start of this financial year.
 

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Installation of the Interpretative Signage at Magenup Lake
Angela Jackob, Town of Kwinana.

The "Creating Communities" group in conjunction with a variety of partner agencies have been successful in obtaining a Green Corps Group. The Town of Kwinana have scheduled 3 weeks in November for works at a variety of our reserve locations including Lake Magenup. We are currently finalizing work plan details and at the moment we have two days of activities including the maintenance of this years plantings and installation of the interpretive signage that was organized for the site last year
Updates 9th July, 2009
The signs have now been installed and can be seen around the lake.

Depending on the availability of seed at this time, one additional activity may be seed collecting or spreading brushing with viable seed.

Discussions with herbicide contractors is ongoing and it is proposed that spraying of the Arum Lilies at Magenup Lake will commence in September 2008.
Updates 9th July, 2009
Arum Lilly control commenced at the end of September 2008 and will be followed through over 2009