WITH less than 10 per cent of wetlands left and the Roe Highway extension soon to barrel through North Lake and Bibra Lake, researchers have sought to recreate a map of Perth’s pre-settlement wetlands-laden terrain.

The 3D digital model was compiled by researching old maps, explorers’ journals, town plans and Aboriginal stories.

ECU researcher Nandi Chinna says putting it all together was “a bit of a jigsaw”.

Dr Chinna hopes the exhibition reminds people of the importance of the few remaining wetlands.

“We have some of these places left but they’re under threat,” she says, noting the impending extension of Roe Highway through Bibra and North Lakes.

• Nandi Chinna with a map that shows some of the extent of Perth’s wetlands before they were filled in. Photo by Matthew Dwyer.

Proponents of the extension, including the state and federal governments and Melville council, say the extension is vital to reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety by removing trucks from parts of Leach Highway.

But Dr Chinna says the lakes are “important on many levels”.

“They’re important because they act as filters to clean the water. They’re important because they’re a habitat for biodiversity.

“They’re important for mitigating climate change.

“Just being in a place like North Lake… which has a lot of its natural vegetation still intact, you have that encounter with the wild which has that significant impact on people as far as their mental health and wellbeing.

“They’re actually very useful to humans. That’s something that a lot of people don’t realise.”

The free exhibition Reimagining Perth’s lost wetlands is on at the Perth Town Hall in Barrack Street until October 9.

by DAVID BELL