Wildflower Reserve

                               Rotary Club of Kwinana – Wildflower Reserve.

The initial concept for the reserve was to prevent urban development of what was known as a significant wildflower area, and preserve it for the future as an asset of the Kwinana community. The ultimate goal is to return the reserve to as near as practicable to its former state when wildflowers and other native flora and fauna were in abundance. Structural development of the reserve will be in a manner that provides for easy access and pleasant surrounds whilst endeavoring to maintain the natural environment. To date the Rotary Club of Kwinana, in conjunction with the Town of Kwinana, the Community and local Industry has undertaken a number of project activities, such as :-

• The erection and painting of a Look-Out Tower with views of the Spectacles Wetlands and surrounding countryside and development.
• Cleaned up and removed deadwood from around the Look-Out Tower and walk path route.
• Constructed a walk path from Thomas Road, through the reserve to the Look-Out Tower.
• Planting of native species of tree and plants, this was mostly unsuccessful due to encroachment of Veldt Grass weed.
• Arranged through the Town of Kwinana for spraying of a specific herbicide to destroy the Veldt Grass. This will take a number of years to become affective.
• Undertaken a number of clean-ups within the reserve as well as cleaning up each “Clean up Australia Day”.
• Repainted the Look-Out Tower to remove graffiti.

Look-Out Tower.

The Look-Out Tower originated when PP Rodger Hamilton (Ex BHP Rod & Bar) saw an opportunity to get a good tower from the old Blast Furnace that was being demolished, following discussion with Mike Baker (the Plant Manager) it was decided which tower was best suited for donating to the project, unfortunately when the tower was being brought down to a horizontal plane it was severely damaged beyond use. Following this tragedy a concept tower was designed by Rodger Hamilton this was checked and worked over by an independent Civil Engineer to ensure compliance with all safety and environmental requirements of the Town of Kwinana’s Engineering department. Once done working drawings were prepared and work on the construction began using the tradesmen in the Service Workshop to machine, weld and fabricate the Tower. This labour became available because of guidelines to start extra training of all employees in as many skills as possible so as to prepare them to work in other industries once the announcement was made to shut down the Steel Rolling Mill and the Wire Manufacturing Plant (bearing in mind that a large percentage of the plants employees had never worked in any industry outside of  BHP’s Steel Industry)

The Look-Out Tower was completed and dispatched to the Industrial Painters (Nova Coat) the morning that the plant’s gates were closed for good.

On arrival at Nova Coat the decision was made to dismantle the tower to better protect and paint all exposed parts, this was PP Rodger’s first days retirement task together with his son Robert who was visiting from South Australia.

Whilst the painting was being carried out another local business run by Dino Epetelli was busy out in the bush laying down the Concrete Slab footing ready for the tower to be erected on. On completion of the painting the Tower was taken to the erection site in sections, where it was re-assembled by Rodger Hamilton assisted by a boilermaker, a rigger, a mobile crane and driver donated once again by Dino.

The approximate cost of donations from the three industries was approximately $56,000.00 (2003$) plus PP Rodger and his son’s time after shut down of BHP of about 130 hours/$2730, giving a total donation to the people of Kwinana of about $58,730.00. (2003$)

When built the upper deck was clad with split Koppers logs, both on sides and on top the aim being to try to match the local environment, but alas! The local anti social group felt that, firstly the bolts & nuts that hadn’t had their ends peened over would make good ammunition for throwing at passing vehicles, when the bolts were all replaced and bolt ends securely peened over their next idea was to get a long pole and prise the slats off and burn them. As a result the roof was replaced by Colour Bond Steel and the vertical wooden slats were replaced with a steel mesh welded to the tower frame. The tower is now being visited, and the scenery and native plants and flowers being enjoyed by more and more locals and tourists and as a result the vandalism is now restricted to the would be artists!! Who seem to appear when no one is looking.

Information supplied by:

PP. Rodger Hamilton.