Capes


FUTURE OFCape to Cape
System

Scenic landscape amenity

Rocky coastline, tall forests, waterways, are important characteristics of the system.

What are the CHANGES? >

Scenic landscape amenity

Expected changes to the climate including reduced rainfall; increased drought and more severe weather will impact the landscape features, potentially altering the amenity of the system.

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Thriving community

Thriving community networks, a resilient and positive community spirit and vibrant townships were all identified as important values of the system.

What are the CHANGES? >

Thriving community

Changing population demographics; more absentee landholders and a reduction in community participation and volunteerism being experienced.

Increasing subdivision; more people; more cars; more water use; more gardens; limited connection and awareness to land and water.

Changing demographics is driving up land prices and rentals. It is difficult to make a living with income often seasonal. There are a large number of low socio-economic people in Margaret River.

With changes in climate, there is an increased health risk from mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River Virus.

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Coastal Recreation

There are numerous coastal recreational opportunities valued by those within the system including surfing, marine fishing, river mouth fishing, walk trails etc.

What are the CHANGES? >

Coastal Recreation

Increased pressures on the landscape from the local and tourist population and through small and large-scale events including international surf events and the Anaconda Ironman is causing damage to the coast and waterways.

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Tourism

The increasing tourism industry (wine, food and lifestyle) was identified as a value of the system. The region is becoming well known for its vineyards and viticulture.

What are the CHANGES? >

Tourism

Expected changes in climate will impact on the tourism values of the system.

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Sustainable Agriculture

Active rural industries and sustainable agriculture was identified as important by those in the system.

What are the CHANGES? >

Sustainable Agriculture

Changes in current climate is resulting in changing land management practices including different crop selections.

Farmers changing cattle breeds to hardier types.

There has been a significant decline in commercial farms and increase in lifestyle farming which is affecting communities. There is an increase in absentee landholders and a reduction in community participation.

Reduction in groundwater recharge will impact water supply.

Reduction in honey production has been observed over last four years.

Degradation of topsoil has been leading to an increase in water runoff.

Changes in seasonality is being observed – some fruit trees are now flowering in March-April when they should be dormant.

Increased evaporation rate means soil is drying out faster.

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Diverse business opportunities

The people of the system identified having diverse business opportunities and environmentally-aware businesses as important values.

What are the CHANGES? >

Diverse business opportunities

The system currently has plenty of unviable businesses that regularly change hands.

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Healthy vegetation

The system has variety of healthy intact vegetation types including Jarrah and Marri forests and woodlands in the agricultural and housing areas, Karri forest and coastal heath.

What are the CHANGES? >

Healthy vegetation

Changes to vegetation are already being observed including gradual changes in forest types through increases in temperature and reduction in rainfall; reduction in tree health with marri decline being seen in roadsides; distribution of karri changing.

Severe / extreme temperature events are impacting on possum deaths and deaths of pockets of trees.

Increase in dieback expected.

More intense fires being experienced and expected in the future.

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Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge

The Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge is an iconic part of the system with its unique geology, rocky shorelines and caves, fragile dunes, sandy beaches, surf and fish sources.

What are the CHANGES? >

Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge

Warming of water through climate change will impact on the coral beach and in stream pools of the natural waterways.

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Diversity of plants and animals

Along with the unique geology of the system, there is a diversity of plants and animals including many endemic species, unique aquatic fauna of the waterways, diverse marine fauna and unique stygofaunal communities of the caves. Many of the plant and animals are already under threat from existing pressures.

What are the CHANGES? >

Diversity of plants and animals

Many areas of the system are expected to experience increasing fauna population pressures.

Increasing numbers of different animals such as pink and greys and parrots are being observed.

Severe / extreme temperature events are being experienced causing possum deaths and deaths of pockets of trees.

Groundwater reduction is already resulting in less trees and the loss of the unique cave communities.

Increase wildlife dependency on human sources of water is being observed.

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Natural waterways

The natural waterways of the system are identified as values including the freshwater rivers and wetlands, estuary, seasonal streams and permanent pools and riparian vegetation. Groundwater is very important to these natural waterways as the semi-confined groundwater feeds rivers and the shallow groundwater supports vegetation and wetlands.

What are the CHANGES? >

Natural waterways

Rise in temperatures expected to cause warming of in-stream pools impacting negatively on the plants and animals.

Groundwater reduction through reduction in rainfall will impact natural waterways and the cave communities.

There is expected further reduction in in-stream flows and a faster drop in stream flow after winter rains.

An increase in algal issues in Hardy Inlet is being observed.

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Linked landscape

A linked or connected landscape with high values conservation estate was identified as an important part of the system. Gondwana Link was specifically mentioned.

What are the CHANGES? >

Linked landscape

Conservation reserves and linkages are becoming more important as refuges.

Carbon sequestration could provide linkage opportunities with correct planning.

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