Port Bouvard Limited is the only private developer to have achieved finalist status for the 2009 WA Environment Awards.

Entering its Port Bouvard estate into the Coastal, Marine and Estuarine category, the Company will be facing off against one other entrant, for the coveted award.

Mr John Wroth, Joint CEO for Port Bouvard Limited, and qualified Environmental Scientist, stated that the award recognized the key principles that the Company had employed, with
the restoration of three foreshore areas across a ten year period.

“When Port Bouvard Limited purchased the land in 1998 there were numerous concerns with the foreshore areas due to the excavated spoil that resulted from the Dawesville channel works as well as unrestricted car access to the beaches, which caused subsequent dunal erosion,” Mr Wroth said. “Port Bouvard Limited installed appropriate beach paths, lookouts, bollards and dune protection measures which assisted with the Southport and Northport areas.” “In addition the Company planted in excess of 100,000 seedlings over an 18 hectare land parcel and introduced innovative weed inversion technology which reduced weed infestation by 95% within the first 12 months.” “Some 10 years on Port Bouvard Limited has created a community space for the Peel area which reflects and protects the neighbouring native reserves of Caddadup and Wannanup and which requires minimal ongoing management.” “Based on these outcomes, Port Bouvard Limited has exceeded all the requirements of State and Local Government.”

The announcement of the finalists is timely, with the Company in the process of seeking rezoning for two further land parcels located at Point Grey and Gidgegannup. The Company has employed the services of sustainability guru Josh Byrne and will seek to achieve a number of sustainability outcomes for both townsites including public transport, grey water technology as well innovative building designs and covenants.

Mr John Wroth stated that the WA Environment Awards would provide some level of reassurance to the local communities that the company did prioritize the environment when project managing their developments. “Port Bouvard Limited is focused on breaking the mould when it comes to introducing new technologies and applications for developing townsites that really are sustainable,” Mr Wroth said.

“We were always confident that our approach was a benchmark standard and these awards have now confirmed this fact.”

For more information contact:
Samantha Reece
Director Strategic Marketing and Research (SMR)
Phone: 0407 190 908
NOTES TO EDITOR
Due to the degraded state of Port Bouvard’s foreshore areas, the following works took place in a staged process from 2000 to 2008.

Eastport

• Landform re-contoured to reflect the natural foreshore areas
• Weed contaminated top soil was buried at a depth of 200-300mm to prevent further infestation
• Intertidal basins constructed to provide much needed wading bird habitat and foraging areas
• Bollards strategically placed to prevent vehicle access
• Planting of 74,000 seedlings and 19.5 kg of seed reflecting 51 local occurring plant species to create a self sustaining plant community that blended into the adjoining
• Wannanup Reserve and requiring minimal maintenance
• Cleared vegetation was harvested and used to protect exposed areas and to prevent weed invasion
• A monitoring programme was implemented on a monthly basis for the first 12 months to ensure the success of the programme
• Bi-annual weed maintenance program was then implemented
• Installation of a car park, dual use paths, shaded seating and a lookout
• Signage installed to direct visitors to the beach access path
• A combination of limestone rods and intensive sedge planting were successfully undertaken in higher wave energy areas to stabilise foreshore beach areas

Southport/Northport:

• Local endemic natives were only used in rehabilitation and landscaping around the foreshore areas. Genetic integrity of vegetation was maintained by sourcingseed and plants from the local provenance area. 30,000 seedlings, 6 kg/ha of seed were planted and brush installed.
• Dual use paths created and especially in low relief dunal areas
• Irrigation and minimal fertilizer application restricted to fairways only
• Installation of bollards and fencing to restrict pedestrian access
• Lookouts constructed on wood poles and decking to minimise impacts on established vegetation and retain natural landform.
• Signage provided direction for appropriate beach access
• Parking, bicycle racks, BBQ and shower/ablution facilities provided
• Introduction of golf course rules which restricted player access
• Placement of brush and vegetation on dunes adjacent to the lookout to prevent informal tracks
• Collection and replanting of provenance material including seeds and Samphire cuttings.

The 2nd annual Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day dawned to a beautiful sunny day and over 2000 people in attendance.

As per previous years, Port Bouvard Ltd was a key sponsor of the event and hosted a sustainability marquee with renowned speakers including John Colwill, the Soil Sisters and Ross Mars.

The Port Bouvard Ltd team spoke with over 100 people who were interested in the proposed townsite, especially as the information pack containing the master plan for the development had been issued that week.

In the main, once people were aware of its location and the fact that it was a long term focus i.e. 15-20 year development programme, they were less concerned by what they assumed would be the impact of the townsite as it grew.

Port Bouvard Ltd hosted a competition whereby entrants could win a garden consult with Josh Byrne to the value of $4000.  Our congratulations to Tony Trilling of Morangup who was the lucky winner! We will keep you updated as to the transformation of Tony’s garden.

Port Bouvard Ltd would like to extend its congratulations to Experience Gidgegannup and especially our thanks to Sally Block for managing such a successful event.

As per this year, we look forward to being involved in 2010 and beyond.

Where did people come from to visit the Small Farm Field Day?

Tony Trilling is congratulated by John Wroth Port Bouvard Ltd and Frank Alban MLA, Member for Swan Hills for winning the garden consult with Josh Byrne

The Soil Sisters were a real hit and provided some great advice on growing food and creating a habitat garden

John Colwill provided tips on water wise gardens and plants

Win a garden consult with Josh Byrne to the value of $4000. Call into the Port Bouvard Ltd Sustainability Marquee at the Small Farm Field Day and you could be the lucky winner. Click here (pdf copy of entry form and poster) for more details.

Port Bouvard Ltd unveiled its Gidgegannup townsite Master Plan to the community last weekend, after having lodged the plan with the City of Swan and the Western Australian Planning Commission in late April, following 12 months of comprehensive project planning.

Writing to all 1400 households on the ratepayer database for the Gidgegannup and Morangup areas, 90 residents from 70 households attended the two Port Bouvard Ltd-presented information sessions over Saturday and Sunday in Gidgegannup. The information sessions were open to the entire community and everyone who registered was able to attend.

The Master Plan fulfils the Western Australian Planning Commission’s (WAPC) strategic planning for a Gidgegannup townsite and adjoining rural lifestyle (acreage) subdivision which was first mooted in the City of Swan’s Gidgegannup Rural Strategy of 1992 and reinforced and refined by the Planning Commission in its State Planning Strategy of 1997 and then the North Eastern Hills Settlement Pattern Plan (NEHSPP) of 2002.

Mr John Wroth, Joint Chief Executive Officer for Port Bouvard Ltd, stated “after positive feedback from the community our focus now is to ensure that the City of Swan and State Government departments take on board the resident’s sentiment and partner with ourselves to ensure that we deliver a truly first-class development and self-sustaining community in Gidgegannup. Only by working together from the outset can we meet the high expectations of the Master Plan which was supported by the majority of residents at the sessions.”

Subdivision of the acreage (2 hectare) lots as envisaged by the Rural Strategy commenced in the mid 1990s and although government planning for the townsite should have commenced in 2003, difficulty in resolving the servicing of the town with water and wastewater infrastructure meant the planning process was significantly stalled.

Following its acquisition of the majority of the townsite land in 2007, Port Bouvard Ltd took on the complex task of planning for the new town and overcoming these infrastructure hurdles.

The Master Plan unveiled by the company provides solutions to the provision of infrastructure, which utilises the latest available technology in water recycling. The additional commitment to the provision of broadband services, improved power, new schools, and much-needed social infrastructure are also aspects of the Plan that reflect the vision for the townsite that the community expressed to Port Bouvard Ltd during its initial community consultation process in 2007 and 2008.

In line with the NEHSPP, the Master Plan proposes approximately 1900 townsite lots and a population of about 4500 residents.

Mr Wroth stated he was delighted with the community sessions, and that the response from the attendees had been overwhelmingly positive.

“The community in particular were very responsive to the environmental work we have undertaken over the past two years and the fact that the Master Plan had incorporated priority flora and waterways within public open space,” Mr Wroth said.

“The community was also very supportive of our sustainability framework and especially that this was part of the planning process from the onset, rather than being retrofitted once the plan was completed.

“The introduction of over 23% public open space and the intention that existing rural residents could remain self sufficient and not have to connect to, or pay for, scheme water, were also well received.

“The new village centre and the inclusion of dual use paths, seniors living and additional playing fields and bridle paths were also endorsed, with residents feeling that this would increase the overall feeling of community.”

Attendees completed feedback forms at the conclusion of the information sessions which indicated the following:

• 85% felt that their opinions had been listened to by the project team
• 84% felt they were able to voice their opinions openly
• 75% felt that Port Bouvard Ltd had been thorough with its research and studies in creating the Master Plan
• 75% felt that the increased amenities such as a private school and village centre would be of benefit to the Gidgegannup community
• 93% felt that the information session was worthwhile

Mr Wroth stated that the community had provided some quality suggestions for refinement of the Master Plan that the project team would consider.

“Certainly the community wants us to address the increased traffic, the additional illumination from street lights and to ensure that the Toodyay Road commercial precinct is prioritised with Council,” Mr Wroth said.

“But the majority of the residents felt that the proposed Master Plan would cater for Gidgegannup residents and their long term requirements, particularly during the 15 years and more it would take to grow the townsite as proposed in the Master Plan.”

The Gidgegannup Master Plan focuses on delivering a rural townsite which meets triple bottom line outcomes with the inclusion of the following key elements:

• Homes to be 7 star NEHRS rated (current standard 5 star)
• Introduction of additional services to encourage employment self sufficiency such as broadband internet, telekiosks, buy local policies and a town centre on Toodyay Road as well as a village centre
• Retention of vegetation along major roads and pathways to provide a rural ambience
• A diversity of lots and dwelling types to meet the different lifestyles and affordability choices of existing and future residents, including a mix of lots sized from 1 hectare to 1 acre (at the outskirts of the town edge) through to lots of 1,000sqm to 300sqm (within the townsite itself)
• Introduction of strata titled lots within areas identified as having excellent vegetation to ensure that native bushland in private ownership was retained and enhanced.
• An integrated water management strategy which reduces drawdown on scheme water by 60% and waste water by 40%, through water recycling and the provision of water tanks to all properties, regardless of size
• Strong building guidelines which will manage the design, colour and choices of building materials for homes to ensure that they are reflective of the rural setting
• The village centre to contain a community garden and town square for a farmers’ markets
• Subsidised public transport

Mr Wroth stated “we expect it will be some months before Government formally releases the Master Plan to the community for public comment.  We felt it important however, to demonstrate an inclusive and proactive approach with the local community to ensure a timely response from the City of Swan.  There is no doubt that this positive dialogue will continue with the community throughout 2009 and 2010 as we finalise the plan and commence with its implementation.”

The company will be issuing an information brochure which details the Master Plan to the Gidgegannup community in the coming weeks.

The Master Plan for the Gidgegannup townsite is now ready to be lodged with the City of Swan and the Western Australian Planning Commission

The Master Plan, which has taken some 9 months to prepare, sought community input via a series of surveys, interviews, workshops and community forums from November 2007 to June 2008.

The final design, which will be open to public comment, includes a number of elements raised by the community including:

• Enhancing the existing Toodyay Road precinct as the main commercial/activity area
• Realigning the intersection of Bunning Road with Toodyay Road to improve safety and amenity around Gidgegannup Primary School

• Larger lots to interface with the existing 5 acre lots in Gidgedales and Inthanoona Road
• Provision of a mix of lot sizes to cater for all lifecycles of the community, including youth and seniors
• Incorporation of sustainable development principles including lot orientation and water reuse
• Additional sports fields and bridle paths

Mr Jeff Strahan, Development Manager Port Bouvard Ltd stated that the company would host a series of information sessions about the Master Plan on the 2 and 3 May for the community.

“We wish to demonstrate to the community that we have listened to their input and hence the Master Plan design reflects some of the key criteria that were raised during the previous workshop sessions,” Mr Strahan said.

“Once again, all Gidgegannup residents have been invited to these sessions and we are looking forward to their comments and thoughts.

To register for one of the information sessions contact Wanda Comrie of SMR on
9429 8804 prior to Wednesday 29 April.

Port Bouvard Ltd is pleased to announce that all applicants for the 2009 Community Partnership Programme were successful.

The company, which sponsored a number of events in 2008, will support the following community groups in 2009:

• Gidgegannup Cricket Club for the Annual 20/20 Hills Cricket Association competition
• Gidgegannup Rec Club for the Beat in the Bush concert
• Gidgegannup and Hills Equestrian Association for the Dressage Division Indoor Qualifier
• Gidgegannup Horse and Pony Club for the Gidgegannup CNC event
• Experience Gidgegannup for the Small Farm Field Day

Mr John Wroth, CEO for Port Bouvard Ltd, stated that the company was committed to the Gidgegannup community.

“There are a number of community groups in Gidgegannup, which reflects a strong local spirit, and we are keen to foster this as the development of the townsite proceeds,” Mr Wroth said.

“Many of these groups rely heavily on sponsorship funds to host their events and as such Port Bouvard Ltd is pleased to provide some financial assistance as part of our ongoing commitment to community-building.”

Membership of the new Townsite Liaison Group (TLG), which will represent the views of Gidgegannup residents in relation to the development of the Gidgegannup townsite, has now been finalised.

In January 2009, nominations were sought from the local community and the response was extremely positive.

The members of the newly formed TLG include:

• John Kinsella Sport and recreation representative
• Auggie Vallelonga Land owner representative
• Theodore Lawrence Ecotourism representative
• Murray Swain Seniors representative
• Janette Huston Environmental representative
• Sally Block GPA representative
• Zach Cole Youth representative
• Gloria Metcalf Agriculture representative
• William Karoll Environmental representative
• Geoffrey Knights Agriculture representative
• Alan Edge Small business representative
• Jeff Strahan Port Bouvard Ltd

Mr Jeff Strahan, Development Manager Port Bouvard Ltd stated that the task of choosing the committee members had been difficult due to the high response rate.

“Ultimately we were seeking committee members that represented various local groups and interests,” Mr Strahan said.

“The final members of the TLG have been active participants in the consultation process to date and were also members of a broad cross section of the community and this is ideal when considering the ongoing development of the town over the next 10-15 years.”

Mr Strahan wished to thank all nominees for their interest in the TLG and hoped that they would participate in the forthcoming community workshops.