The Suburban Shingleback

Line Drawing - Scale 1:1 @A2

Line Drawing

Jirdarup Bushland - Derbarl Yerrigan Walk

Shingleback Life Cycle Diagram

Shingleback Daily Activities Diagram

Shingleback Information and Habitats

Site Analysis - General Information

Site Analysis - Shingleback Specific Information

Site Analysis - Constraints

Site Analysis - Strengths

Site Analysis - Habitat Quality and Movement

The Problems

Design Principles and Solutions

Overall, Shingleback Educational Trail and Backyard Trail Strategy

Strategy 1 (Small) - Recommended Backyard Enhancements

Strategy 2 (Medium) - The Shingleback-Yard Trail

Strategy 3 (Large) - A Tale of 2 Shinglebacks

Masterplan

Focus Area 1 - Shingleback-Yard

Focus Area 2 - Kensington Secondary School Shingleback Garden

Roadside Verge and Bobtrail Details

Planting Strategy - Bassendean Vegetation System

Planting Strategy - Spearwood Vegetation System

Planting Strategy - Vasse Vegetation System

Suburban Shingleback

The Suburban Shingleback

Degraded Jirdarup Bushland

Dangerous Suburban Transition

Low Biodiveristy Lawn at the Derbarl Yerrigan

Jirdarup Bushland - Derbarl Yerrigan Walk

Common Name: Singleback Lizard, Bobtail, Shingleback

Noongar Name: Yoorn

Length: 35-40cm

Height: 3-5cm

Weight: 600-900g

Life Span: 15-30 years

Diet: Omnivore

Population Status: Least Concern

Suburban Shingleback

Snails and Insects

Brown Falcon

Jirdarup Bushland and Shoreline

Flowers (Special liking to yellow)

Kookaburras

Domestic and Wild Dogs

Suburban Backyards and Off-Leash Dog Areas

Domestic and Wild Cats

Suburban Backyards

Vehicles

Vegetation Bicycles

Carrion (Dead Animals)

Jirdarup Bushland, Suburban Area and Shoreline

Vehicular Roads

Vehicular Roads and Pedestrian Walkways

Derbarl Yerrigan Suburb

Sir James Mitchell Park

Morris Mundy Reserve

Kensington/Jirdarup Bushland Suburb Suburb

Common Bobtail Habitat areas and their threats in Town of Victoria Park

Sir James Mitchell Park Roads and Pavements Suburban Park Suburban Backyard Jirdarup Bushland

Soil Types

Mid to Dark Grey Clay, Saturated Pale Grey to White Sand, Medium Grain

Pale Olive Yellow Sand, Medium-Coarse Very Light Grey Sand, Fine-Medium Grained

Vegetation Types

Vasse System

Bassendean System

Spearwood System

The site is 10% Vasse, 40% Spearwood and 50% Bassendean systems.

Pre-European Vegetation

Jarrah, Banksia and Casuarina

Jarrah, Marri and Wandoo

The site is 35% Jarrah, Banksia and Casuarina and 65% Jarrah, Marri and Wandoo.

Topography and Groundwater

5m Contour Lines

Land Use

Educational High Points

Green Spaces

1m Groundwater Contours Commercial

The site is hilly with the lowest point being the Swan River and the highest points are scattered around the suburb.

The Suburban Shingleback

Suburban Areas

The site is dominated by suburbs with several green spaces and educational institutions.

The site has numerous large off-leash dog areas and surburban backyards. These areas are hostile places for the Bobtails as they host dogs and cats that are non-native threats to them.

The barren roadside verges provide no food and shelter for Bobtails exposing them to predators while providing little value.

The sources of water scattered around the site are deep and pose a threat to the Bobtails as they are unable to swim and may drown in them while looking for water.

Natural predators such as the Kookaburra and Falcons have been sighted in the bushland and along the Swan River’s shore.

One of the biggest issues Bobtails face is the risk of getting roadkilled by vehicles while basking on roads. The site is full of roads, limiting the Bobtails’ movements around the area.

Legend

Off-Leash Dog Areas

Suburban Backyards

Water Sources

Verges

Predator Sightings

Tiliqua rugosa Sightings

Large Roads

Medium Roads

Small Roads

The site has a large area of vegetation that provide habitats for the Bobtail.

Sources of water include private swimming pools, Derbal Yerrigan and a couple of lakes along the shore. These are abundant sources of water and fairly accessible for the Bobtails.

There are also numerous lots of unimproved land and backyards that could be improved as an ecological corridor to provide habitats and food for the Bobtails.

Bobtails have been sighted at Jirdarup bushland, several surburban backyards and roadside verges.

The Suburban Shingleback

Site Analysis - Strengths

Legend

Low Biodiversity Lawn Area

Canopy Coverage

Remnant Vegetation

Water Sources

Verges

Unimproved Land Tiliqua rugosa Sightings

Suburban Backyards

The Bobtails movement range is around 250 meters. They tend to stay around the same area and move around to forage or meet their mates. There are multiple high quality habitats that support the Bobtail entirely are around the site but none of them are connected. Most of the low quality habitats which include lawn and verges are devoid of shelter and resources.

These habitats are seperated by roads and suburban houses.

The Suburban Shingleback

Site Analysis - Habitat Quality and Movement

Legend

Low Quality Habitats

High Quality Habitats

Water Sources

Verges

Unimproved Land

Suburban Backyards

Tiliqua rugosa Sightings

Predator Sightings

Tiliqua rugosa Movement Range

Predation

-Kookaburras

-Brown Falcons

-Snakes

Bobtails are vulnerable to predation to natural predators such as snakes, Kookaburras and Falcons. The site has many low quality habitats that provide little shelter from these predators.

Introduced Threats

-Vehicles

-Bicycles

-Cats and Dogs

Bobtails are slow creatures that are not able to get out of the way of cars and bicycles while they are basking on roads and pavements. They are also vulnerable to predation by dogs and cats that live in the suburbs. The Bobtails are also vulnerable to poaching.

Lack of Resources

-Low Quality Habitats

-Contaminated Sites

-Dangerous Water Sources

The site has lost large areas of vegetation due to urbanisation and development. There are also multiple contaminated sites and unimproved land in the area. These provide little resources and shelter for the Bobtails. Water sources include the Swan RIver, Suburban Swimming Pools and deep lakes by the shore. These water sources pose a threat to the Bobtails as they are unable to swim and will drown if they fall into them.

Safe Basking and Shelter from Threats

Bobtails are cold blooded reptiles that need access to warm basking areas to regulate their body temperature. Currently, the most significant cause of mortality to the Bobtails is due to roadkill as roads are a common basking area.

There is an opportunity to provide safe basking areas for the Bobtails with heat absorbing materials with access to sunlight.

Shelter from Threats and Access to Resources

As the site is located in a suburban area, there is the presence of threats such as falcons, snakes, domestic dogs and cats that harm the Bobtails out of fun or to eat. Young Bobtails are especially vulnerable to these threats.

It may be beneficial to create safe spaces for both adult and young bobtails to take shelter from these threats and gain access to safe water and food

Increasing Human Awareness

The Bobtail is a creature that is adored by people, however, the populace is unaware of the dangers and challenges that the Bobtail face.

There is an opportunity to generate human empathy and educate them about how they can help these little critters out.

Providing Safety.

-Addition of sub-surface tunnels for crossing roads. -Addition of rocks, logs and burrows for shelter.

-Converting backyards into Bobtail friendly habitats.

Improving the habitat quality of low quality areas and Connecting patches of high quality habitats.

-Improving planting in low quality habitat areas. -Addition of shallow water sources.

-Reducing off-leash dog areas in high quality habitat areas.

Generating human empathy through educational trails and Bobtail themed structures.

-Providing a educational and habitat connection from the Jirdarup Bushland to the Swan River.

-Construction of Bobtail sculptures along trails.

The overall strategy of the design is to create an ecological connection from the Jirdarup Bushland to the Derbarl Yerrigan for the Bobtail, connecting the 2 high quality habitats. Key moves include:

1. Reduction of off-leash dog areas.

2. Enhancing low quality habitats to high quality habitats.

3. Connecting high quality habitats.

4. Enhancement of backyards for Bobtails.

The Educational BobTrail travels around the site and stop at Points of Interests at several educational institutions where students can learn about Bobtails.

The connection from Jirdarup Bushland to Derbarl Yerrigan goes in a straight line for the fastest route possible for Bobtails through repurposed private backyards, hence the name Shingleback-Yard Trail.

The Planting Strategy for the site will depend on the vegetation systems present. Plant species are selected according to the below conditions:

1. Flowering colors of a range from yellow-red year round for Bobtail feeding.

2. Plants suited for the various vegetation systems.

3. Range of plant species with different habits and heights.

The Suburban Shingleback

Legend

Strategy 1: Backyard Enhancements

Strategy 2: Shingleback-Yard Trail

Strategy 3: BobTrail

BobTrail Points of Interest

High Quality Habitats

Reduced Off-leash Dog Areas

Ecological Connection

Overall, Shingleback Educational Trail and Backyard Trail Strategy

One of the places that serve as habitats and travelling routes for the Bobtails is the backyards of suburban houses. However, these backyards are full of threats to the Bobtails such as cats, dogs, deep water and lack of resources.

These are several but not limited to recommended backyard enhancements to help increase the amount of high quality habitats.

1. Reducing Lawn Area.

2. Native Planting to provide habitats and resources.

3. Openings between fences to allow Bobtails to travel through.

4. Removal of deep water sources that pose threat to Bobtails

5. Continuous connection along backyards for Bobtail travel.

Variant 1: High Bobtail-Human Environment Ratio

Variant 2: Equal Bobtail-Human Environment Ratio

Variant 3: Low Bobtail-Human Environment Ratio

Original Backyard with Low Quality Habitat

The current backyards are devoid of vegetation and lack shelter and resources for bobtails. These area are low quality and provide no value to the Bobtails.

Conversion to High Quality Habitat

The first iteration of the strategy is to repurpose a part of private backyards and add native planting to help create high quality habitats for Bobtails.

Addition of Human Access

The second iteration is to add more depth to the design and allow human access into the space. Removing the fences allow people into the space and enables them to interact with nature and the Bobtails.

Addition of Human Oriented Spaces

The final iteration of the strategy gives back part of the repurposed backyards to the original owners and public. The spaces provided allow the original owners to use them for recreational activities such as picnics, barbequing, etc. Some of these spaces are also part of the educational trail that has signage for people to learn from.

Initial Concept of the Educational Trail

The narrative of the trail follows the trait of Bobtails where they are monogamous and find their partner at certain time of year to mate before splitting up and meeting again the next year. This behaviour is not seen in many other species of animals. The trail follows the journey of the Bobtail and teaches people about their habits and challenges faced.

The trail expands into Points of Interests at certain points which features sculptures of Bobtails.

The Points of Interest chosen are the Department of Water and Conservation Services Facility, Kensington Primary, Secondary and High School as they are educational spaces and are opportunities for enhancement.

The trail features several design elements along the trail based on various factors to maintain user interest.

Path Materials - A resin path according to the soil types of the area

Trail Planting - Planting Based on the Vegetation System of the area

Decorations on Path and along Trail - Path imprints based on season of Bobtails journey

Educational Information along Trail - Bobtail habits and information based on season of Bobtail’s Journey

Sculptures - Based on Points of Interest

Schematic Diagram Trail Design Elements

The chosen masterplan area shows the main features of the design:

-The connection from the Jirdarup Bushland to the Derbarl Yerrigan through the Shingleback-Yard.

-The enhanced private backyards for higher quality Bobtail habitats.

-The Educational Bobtrail and one of the Points of Interest.

Schematic Diagram

This area features a portion of the Shingleback-Yard Trail.

The main design aspects of this area are the:

-Revegetation of the repurposed private backyards.

-Part of the BobTrail coming through the Shingleback-Yard paved with timber railway sleepers.

-A communal deck that serves as a recreational space with BBQ pits, sheltered seating and educational signs.

-Private decks for personal use.

-Boardwalks to cross from one side to another.

-A hammock for resting at while enjoying the planting.

-Several diferent fencing variants.

-Stepped seating

Materials Palette

Jarrah Timber Steel Grate

Timber Railway Sleepers Concrete

Communal Deck

Personal Deck (Timber)

Personal Deck (Steel Grate)

Timber Boardwalk

Human Corridor

Bobtail Corridor

Sheltered Seating Open Backyard Variant

Non-Intervened Backyard Variant

Enhanced Backyard w/ Door Variant

Enhanced Backyard w/ Open Fence Variant

Bobtrail with Educational Fence and Signage and Sheltered Seating

Bobtail Corridor

Enhanced Private Backyard

Private Backyard

Section AA - 1:100 @A2

BobTrail

Stepped Seating Bobtrail with Educational Fence, Signage and Sheltered Seating Section BB - 1:100 @A2

The perspective of a Bobtail safely enjoying a bask on a rock in its new travelling route before continuing on to Derbarl Yerrigan to meet its partner.

The perspective of a Human enjoying the native planting along the human corridor paved with recycled timber railway sleepers in the Shingleback-Yard Trail.

A view from a boardwalk which provides users a view of the Bobtail’s corridor from above without interfering with them.

A view of the surrounding residents utilising the communal space for a barbecue, resting in nature and learning about Bobtails.

This area features the start of the connection from the Jirdarup Bushland to the Derbarl Yerrigan.

The main design aspects of this area are the:

-Revegetation of the space between the Kensington Secondary School and the Kensington Fire Station.

-The Educational Trail that connects to the Fire Station.

-A viewing platform that provides a vista of the Jirdarup Bushland and an educational space for students.

-Seating areas around the school oval that provide a resting space for students.

-A ramp that connects the school to the educational trail along the fire station.

Materials Palette

Sheltered Seating Decorated Resin Bobtrail Path Kensington Fire Station Building

Wheelchair Accessible Ramp

Jirdarup Bushland to Shingleback-Yard Connection

Sheltered Seating

Section CC - 1:100 @A2

Sheltered Seating Path around School Oval Mother and Young Bobtail Sculpture

Viewing Platform with Educational Signs

Section DD - 1:100 @A2

An unobstructed view of the Jirdarup Bushland from the bushland viewing platform.

A view of the utilised bushland viewing platform and sculpture of a mother bobtail and its young in its famous blue tongue sticking out pose at the Kensington Secondary School Bobtrail Point of Interest.

Legend

This is a section of the BobTrail along the road.

BobTrail Design Elements

Path Materials - A resin path containing medium corresponding to the soil types of the area. (Yellow Sand, Grey Sand, Clay) Trail Planting - Planting Based on the Vegetation System of the area. (Vasse, Spearwood, Bassendean) Decorations on Path and along Trail - Path imprints based on season of Bobtails journey (6 Noongar Seasons). This will be done with consultation with aboriginal elders and communities.

Educational Information along Trail - Bobtail habits and information based on season of Bobtail’s Journey Sculptures - Male Bobtail at Department of Water and Environmental Conservation, Female Bobtail at Kensington High School, Male and Female Bobtails at Kensington Primary School, Female Bobtail and young at Kensington Secondary School, Small Bobtails along the entire route to guide users.

Sheltered Seating Area

Mini Bobtail Sculpture

Bobtail Suitable Verge Planting

Educational Signs

Seasonal Decorated Path

The Suburban Shingleback

-The pavement features decorations related to the Bobtails and the season corresponding to the trail.

-The verge planting is suitable for Bobtail habitats and helps provide shelter for the Bobtails.

-The shelter also has eduactional signage for people to read and learn about Bobtails.

-The mini Bobtail sculpture helps inform users that they are travelling along the Bobtrail.

Scale 1:50 @A2 5m

View of a revegetated roadside verge along the Bobtrail from a car. The sheltered seating along the Bobtrail contains information about the bobtails and has a mini bobtail sculpture to allow users to wayfind.

Points of Interest & Low Quality Habitat

Shingleback-Yard Planting

Human Corridor

Human Corridor

Bobtail Corridor Bobtail Corridor Road Road

Flowering Period