WARNDOOLIER (FORMERLY BANKS RESERVE)
The Banks Reserve Master Plan outlines a vision for the City’s waterfront reserve in Mt Lawley. Adopted in 2019, the plan includes improvements to its connection with the Swan River, play spaces and active recreation, accessibility, environmental outcomes and community facilities.
About Warndoolier (formerly Banks Reserve)
Warndoolier sits on the Swan River foreshore in Mt Lawley. It covers approximately 3.5 hectares and is bound by Joel Terrace, the Old East Perth Power Station, and the Tony Di Scerni wetlands. Warndoolier is a place of natural beauty, Aboriginal cultural significance, and is the City’s only riverside reserve.
Projects happening now
River Journeys Interpretation Node
Now complete
Visitors to Banks Reserve can enjoy a peaceful new space along the river with the completion of the River Journeys Interpretation Node.
Designed to honour the land and its history, the new space offers somewhere to rest, learn and connect with the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River). It features a unique timber design with seating, artwork and panels that showcase history and Whadjuk Aboriginal cultural stories.
The project has been a collaboration between the City of Vincent and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
Walter's Brook crossing
Now complete
A new footbridge across Walter's Brook is now complete.
The bridge allows direct access to and from the playground, car park and toilets. New footpaths have also been built to further improve connections.
Constructed from steel and timber, the bridge is designed to blend with the natural surroundings. Native trees and shrubs will be planted in winter next year to complete the project.
New vegetation will be planted around the bridge next autumn to avoid the summer heat.
Renaming
The City of Vincent has received approval Landgate to rename Banks Reserve to Warndoolier.
This comes after Council voted in February 2024 to endorse Warndoolier to replace Banks Reserve subject to consultation with the Boordiya Reference Group.
Mayor Alison Xamon and CEO David MacLennan met with the group on 14 February to discuss moving ahead with the proposal. The Elders gave their full support for the single naming of Warndoolier.
Vincent also received endorsement from the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation.
Milestones
Since the Master Plan was endorsed in 2019, the City has implemented the following:
- shared path lighting upgrade
- eco-zoning adjacent to the shared path
- temporary public toilet installation
- Summers Street car park upgrade
- construction of the ‘Active Zone’ including the nature playground
- pavilion demolition
- construction of new picnic shelters, public toilets, and other landscape improvements
Latest updates
Posted 26 November 2024
Banks Reserve renamed as Warndoolier
Banks Reserve has a new name – Warndoolier – a nod to its Aboriginal heritage.
Posted 20 November 2024
New bridge improves access
A new footbridge across Walters Brook is now complete at Banks Reserve in Mt Lawley.
Posted 28 October 2024
New place to rest and reflect along the Derbarl Yerrigan
Visitors to Banks Reserve can enjoy a peaceful new space along the river with the completion of the River Journeys Interpretation Node.
Posted 07 October 2024
A bridge to better access at Banks Reserve
Work is underway to build a footbridge over Walters Brook at Banks Reserve.
Posted 06 March 2024
Works on interpretation node at Banks Reserve to start
A River Journeys Interpretation Node is being built along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) at Banks Reserve.
Posted 16 February 2024
Vincent to seek approval for Banks Reserve renaming to Warndoolier
Vincent will make a submission to Landgate to revive the Aboriginal name of Banks Reserve, Warndoolier.
Posted 30 October 2023
Feedback sought on proposal to rename or dual name Banks Reserve
The City of Vincent is seeking feedback on renaming or dual naming Banks Reserve in Mount Lawley.
Posted 30 August 2023
Feedback sought on reviving Noongar park name
Banks Reserve could be the first park in the City of Vincent to have its Noongar name Warndoolier revived.
Posted 06 December 2022
Vincent to create Aboriginal-inspired interpretation node at Banks Reserve
An interpretation node highlighting Aboriginal culture will be coming to Banks Reserve next year.
Posted 04 April 2022
Banks Reserve Now Home to New Picnic Tables and Seats
Nature lovers can now enjoy a new picnic shelter with tables and seats while enjoying the pristine views of the Swan River at Banks Reserve.
Posted 29 July 2021
Banks Reserve Pavilion to make way for Plaza
Banks Reserve Pavilion will soon be replaced with green open space in preparation for a community plaza which will open up views to the Swan River and give locals and visitors a contemporary place to gather
Posted 05 July 2021
Public notice of Banks Reserve Pavilion demolition
Banks Reserve Pavilion is scheduled to be demolished from 20 July 2021
Posted 11 June 2020
Nature play taking shape at Banks Reserve
A nature play area that blends into the landscape and encourages creative play is taking shape on the banks of the Swan River.
Posted 11 February 2019
Upgrade of Banks Reserve Recreational Shared Path
As part of its Capital Works projects, the City of Vincent will be upgrading the Recreational Shared Path at Banks Reserve, between Summers Street and the Windan Bridge in East Perth.
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