Hamel Eco-park: Community group says it’s a ‘kick in the guts’ to see historical park treated so poorly

A South West community group said it was a kick in the guts to see a historical eco-park treated so poorly as piles of rubbish are dumped illegally in the bush.

The Hamel Eco-park played a significant role in bringing non-native plants into the State, and as the first plant nursery in WA, a significant amount of plants from Perth and Kings Park would have first sprouted in Hamel.

But today, the park is an overgrown tangle of weeds decorated with spots of rubbish as the area is neglected and falling into disrepair.

Members of the Drakesbrook Community Garden have taken it upon themselves to try and manage the historic site but view the piles of rubbish dumped into the area as a kick in the guts.

Group member Bronwyn Chompff-Gliddon said the eco-park had been left to decay since 2007, but its diversity and history should make it a premier tourism spot of the South West.

“We want to manage the area, especially seeing as there is so much of the history of the park,” she said.

“(It) was to introduce species, we just don’t want them to continue to overrun the park.

“There is a huge fire risk, with lack of access and just an incredible amount of fuel, and it is a critical concern for everyone who lives nearby.”

Looking at a pile of rubbish dumped illegally in the area, Ms Chompff-Gliddon does not hide her disappointment with the state of things.

“It’s a kick in the guts for someone to have so much contempt to go to so much effort to dump so much rubbish illegally and ruin the opportunity for people to enjoy this place,” she said.

Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke said she recently visited the eco-park with Environment Minister Reece Whitby and was shocked and disappointed to see the amount of illegal dumping in the area.

“Hamel is a quaint town with a rich history and really does not deserve to be seen in this ugly state,” she said.

“Illegal dumping not only tarnishes the beauty of this town, it also harms its natural environment, contaminates soil and water and threatens wildlife.”

To help put the eco-park back on track, community clean up days are being held on August 17 and 18.

Anyone wanting to put their hand up can contact Ms Chompff-Gliddon on 0411 496 025 or emailing the Drakesbrook community garden at drakesbrookcommunitygarden@gmail.com

Anyone witnessing illegal dumping should report incidents to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation on 1300 784 782 or emailing pollutionwatch@dwer.wa.gov.au.