History of Herdsman Lake

Herdsman Lake is a significant landmark in relation to Churchlands and Churchlands Green. After all, virtually the entire eastern boundary of Churchlands runs along this vast urban wetland.

Aboriginals used the resources of Herdsman Lake (Ngurgenboro) for at least 5,000 years before European settlement. Ngurgenboro was an important source of protein in the form of frogs, tortoises, crustaceans, and waterfowl. The stems and roots of various wetland plants were also a staple supply of carbohydrate.

Since European settlement, Herdsman Lake has frequently been a centre of public debate and the subject of many proposals. Plans for its use have included grazing and horticulture, rubbish disposal, mining, an airport, and drainage management.

Initially called 'Great Lake', it was formally changed to Lake Herdsman in 1837 when Surveyor-General John Septimus Roe surveyed the lake. By 1900, the whole Herdsman area (including Churchlands) was owned by the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1921, Herdsman Lake was then drained as part of a controversial scheme that involved a 3km tunnel emptying into the sea near Floreat Beach. Subdivision and sale of blocks commenced in 1928, but the scheme was never successful - blocks sold slowly and there was continual flooding in winter.

Herdsman's Lake completely drained showing the subdivision of land, 1935. Photo credit: State Library of Western Australia

After the failure of the drainage scheme, Herdsman Lake was used for livestock grazing, opportunistic market gardening, and as a compensating basin for urban drainage throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

Herdsman Lake (view from the western side) circa 1965. Photo credit: State Library of Western Australia

In 1976, the Metropolitan Regional Planning Authority contributed to the Herdsman Lake Concept Plan. The concept plan called for the central area of the lake to be preserved by creating a ‘moat’ of deep channels around the periphery, resulting in the creation of four areas of deep water:

• Floreat Waters

• Floreat Lakes

• Popeye Lake

• Powis Lake

The plan also allowed for the development of residential areas on the north-west (Floreat Lakes Estate) and south-west (Floreat Waters Estate) fringes of the lake. The plan also involved the expansion of the industrial area to the north-east (Osborne Park).

Aerial view of Herdsman Lake looking south, 14 August 1984. Photo credit: State Library of Western Australia

The Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre (now the Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre supported by the WA Gould League) was opened in 1984 and Herdsman Lake was made a regional park in 1997.

Today, Herdsman Lake Regional Park forms a wetland oasis in the heart of metropolitan Perth. It is a popular but tranquil location for picnicking, exercising, and bird watching.

Aerial view of Herdsman Lake looking east, November 2024.