Our campaign to Save the Mandoon Bilya is focused on advocacy to fight against the proposal for a riverside $1.1bn data centre, and ecological restoration, with plans to plant 6500 native trees and plants here in winter 2026.
Healthy wetlands and sparkling waterways shape our iconic landscape in WA and play a critical role in the fight against climate change.
The Mandoon Bilya (Helena River) is a significant Aboriginal heritage site, with 40+ registered sites along its length.
Imagine wandering or cycling along the waters edge in Perth, a place where the river runs clear, native quendas thrive and wetlands brim with wildlife. Birdsong echoes through the valley as frogs chirp and the flowing waters trickle over rocks.
Wetlands and waterways are the lifeline running through our landscapes, providing a shady place of sanctuary for people and wildlife.
A History of Healing the Helena River
We've been working to restore the Mandoon Bilya (Helena River) close to our Hazelmere base for many years. In 2023 for example, 100 community members joined us to plant over 3000 sedges, trees and rushes along its shores. This year, we have ambitious plans for erosion control measures and the planting of 6500 more native plants and trees.
DONATE NOW: Your support will enable us to continue this legacy of healing landscapes while advocating for the protection of the area from commercial development and urbanisation.
Our friends at Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association also have an exciting plan for this important waterway. Their proposed Regional Riverpark along Mandoon Bilya, between Helena Valley and Guildford, has the potential for 250 hectares of bushland in what is a highly urbanised area giving recreational and community facilities for the inevitable urban growth. This land, more than half the size of King’s Park, is already zoned for parks and reserves but is highly degraded. There is much work to be done, but with support from key stakeholders (incl. DBCA, Shire of Mundaring, City of Swan) the plan includes boosting tree canopy, improving river health, urban revitalisation, community facilities, cultural heritage protection, and much more.
Our Perth restoration projects increasingly focus on wetlands, waterways and the riparian zones that surround them. Healing these landscapes by restoring clear waters and creating canopy corridors is critically important in a changing climate.
Making a donation today will help us to continue our advocacy and plant thousands more native trees and sedges to restore our waterways and protect endangered native wildlife.
Why are Wetlands so Important?
Wetlands and waterways are a critical component of healthy landscapes and communities. One of Western Australia's most spectacular and biodiverse assets, wetlands play an important role in flood mitigation and capture more carbon than forests. Wetland plants are crucial for water purification, removing pollutants and sediments from our drinking water supplies. Spending time in nature, surrounded by the soulful sounds of running water and native wildlife is known to improve our mental health and wellbeing.
Wetlands and waterways provide habitat for a diverse range of native wildlife including birds, turtles and native fish species. Restoring the water quality and improving the health of our rivers through biodiverse native plantings will encourage a growing range of precious wildlife species into our neighbourhoods.
Our planting projects increasingly focus on wetland habitats - we have 170 hectares of land available to us, but we need your help to fulfil our restoration goals.
Healing the Helena River
One of our most significant and degraded waterways in the region is the Helena River (Mandoon Bilya), which flows from the Darling Scarp to the upper Swan Estuary in Guildford, adjacent to our Hazelmere base. Restoring the banks of the Helena River with native sedges, rushes and trees will improve the health of the river and provide vital habitat for wildlife.
This work will also support the Mandoon Bilya Regional Riverpark, which has been proposed by our friends at Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association as part of their Booryul-Bah-Bilya program.
Your generous donation at tax time will help us to plant more native plants to heal landscapes including the Helena River, replacing lost habitat and restoring healthy, biodiverse ecosystems.
Your support will help us to heal landscapes like the Helena River
We urgently need funds to deliver high quality community restoration projects that our planet desperately needs. We receive no ongoing government funding so your support is not only appreciated, but crucial to our ecological restoration goals.
We have 170 hectares available for restoration - your donation level can be set by your preferred contribution per hectare. All funds are vital to help us heal landscapes, just like the one at our neighbouring Helena River (Mandoon Bilya):
- Tadpole supporter: $0.50c per hectare = $85
- Turtle supporter: $1 per hectare = $170
- Quokka supporter: $2 per hectare = $340
- Quenda supporter: $5 per hectare = $850
- Eagle supporter: $20 per hectare = $3,400
Quokkas Spotted Near Helena River!
The Helena River supports a diverse range of native wildlife including birds, turtles and native fish species.
Our friends at Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association recently found a new mainland population of quokkas whilst monitoring the river catchment’s health. Mainly associated with Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), it is an exciting discovery for the Perth Hills region!
From all of us here at Trillion Trees Australia, and from the native wildlife which doesn’t have a voice, we really appreciate your support.
River image credit: Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible