Mount Eliza Escarpment Project
Necessary changes to the Mount Eliza escarpment will see the area reimagined.
Updated December 2024.
A necessary biosecurity response
Ongoing surveillance at Kings Park has identified trees on the Mount Eliza escarpment displaying signs of the invasive pest Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB).
An update on project works
Additional tree removals on the scarp will take place in early 2025.
What is PSHB?
2021 saw the arrival of the declared pest Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) to the Perth region. PSHB is a beetle native to Southeast Asia. The beetle attacks a wide range of trees by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches.
About the size of a sesame seed, PSHB excavates tunnels in trees where they cultivate a Fusarium fungus as a food source. This fungus spreads in the tunnels blocking the flow of water and nutrients in the tree. This blockage causes trees to become unsafe, and eventually die. If not removed, trees infested by PSHB can become a constant source of beetles that disperse and impact neighbouring trees.
There are no effective chemical treatment options available.
What is the risk to Kings Park and our flora?
The risk to our Western Australian Botanic Garden, natural landscape features across Kings Park and to the safety of visitors is real if we don't take action.
The Mount Eliza escarpment location of the trees identified with PSHB is in close proximity to Kings Park Bushland and the Western Australian Botanic Garden, including the many rare and endangered flora protected in its collection.
Unless decisive action is taken, these infested trees will continue to spread the beetles beyond the escarpment boundary, putting at risk the vital Perth asset of Kings Park and also the urban canopy of the surrounding suburbs.
The progression of the infestation also poses a future risk to visitors from dead and dying branches if the infested trees are not removed promptly.
PSHB explained by our arborist
A special place
Mount Eliza escarpment is a special place in the hearts of Kings Park visitors and locals. The escarpment rises steeply from the Swan River to a high point in the landscape of 65 m, with popular features including the Kokoda Track. The area is recognised for its significance to Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Owners as well as its post-colonial landscape features.
The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) has managed the escarpment and landscape values over many decades for the enjoyment of our community.
Taking action to protect Kings Park
The program of tree removal and pruning is showing evidence of success.
Recent DPIRD surveillance in Kings Park recorded a significant drop in PSHB presence in traps following the tree removals on Mt Eliza escarpment in March 2024. However additional detections along the escarpment require the removal of heavily infested trees.
Ongoing surveillance of Mount Eliza escarpment has detected PSHB in an additional collection of trees along the escarpment. Removals are required to continue to protect Kings Park parkland trees and the Western Australian Botanic Garden.
Mounts Bay Gardens (Goonininup) - current status
Works to remove infested Moreton Bay and Port Jackson Figs from Mounts Bay Gardens (located adjacent to the Kokoda Steps) have now been completed.
The area is fenced off and not available for public access.
Removing these trees has increased the risk of instability of the Mount Eliza escarpment which BGPA is carefully monitoring and managing. 
 BGPA is managing this risk presented by tree removals through ongoing consultation with geotechnical engineers, regular assessments, as well as erosion control works and revegetation. Since the March tree removals, more than 3,000 square metres of erosion control matting has been installed along with almost 17,800 native plants, grown from seed collected from Kings Park Bushland. Restoration works will continue for a number of years to come.
Mounts Bay Road; Mounts Bay Gardens (Goonininup) to Kings Tower – current status
Stage 2a tree removal works (adjacent to Kings Tower Apartments) were completed in August 2024.
Stage 2b tree removals are scheduled to commence in early 2025. Expert geotechnical advice has indicated that these tree removal works will impact the stability of the escarpment requiring significant remediation works. Remediation works will include reshaping the ground to reduce the slope and installation of erosion control matting. Environmental restoration works at the site will including weed control and revegetation.
For visitor safety and to allow for essential site remediation and environmental restoration works, BGPA will be permanently closing Lovers Walk.
More information regarding the works will be provided closer to the date.
Ongoing surveillance – current status
Surveillance is ongoing at Kings Park and along Mount Eliza escarpment. Any additional infested trees will continue to be managed as appropriate, including removal if required.
BGPA and DPIRD are continuing a chemical treatment and tree limb removal programme in sites of low infestation.
Restoration for the future
The tree removals are not the end! BGPA will work to restore the Mount Eliza escarpment.
These necessary landscape changes have provided the opportunity to ‘reimagine’ the area with a focus on culture, environmental restoration and greater visitor amenity.
Putting the focus on culture
BGPA and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recognise the significance of the area to Traditional Owners. All efforts are being made before, during and after the project to consult Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Owners and protect cultural heritage.
The next step seeks to create an environment that reflects the cultural sensitivity and environmental stewardship of Whadjuk Noongar culture, history, and values and reestablishes Mount Eliza escarpment as a meaningful connection between Kings Park and the Swan River.
Why native plantings are so important
Biosecurity and climate change are becoming greater challenges every day. Evidence shows that restoring ecological systems greatly improves resilience to these threats. Local flora species are much more resilient to threats as well as vital habitat and food for our native animals. Once the trees are removed, we're putting our focus on restoration for our future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Traditional Owner engagement has been undertaken?
BGPA and DPIRD recognise the significance of Mount Eliza and Mounts Bay Gardens (Goonininup) to the Whadjuk Noongar people and all efforts will be made to preserve the traditional heritage of the site.
- Goonininup – The freshwater spring is of significant spiritual heritage as it is associated with the home of the Rainbow Serpent, the Waugal. Its waters are considered sacred.
- Mount Eliza – The area was used as a gathering place for water, food, ceremony, communication, and trade.
BGPA engaged with the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) to provide advice on the project operations. Through WAC, representatives from the Whadjuk Noongar community were, and continue to be, consulted by BGPA and DPIRD on the project.
BGPA will continue to engage with Traditional Owners as we look to the future of Mount Eliza and Mounts Bay Gardens (Goonininup) and protecting and celebrating its cultural heritage.
Is PSHB local to Kings Park?
DPIRD is responding to the confirmed detections in the Perth metropolitan area. BGPA is coordinating an internal response to limit spread of PSHB in Kings Park and into Bold Park. This involves a response by BGPA staff and volunteers, and working closely with our colleagues at DPIRD, DBCA and other key stakeholders.
The removal of infested trees is key to containing PSHB spread and minimising further impact on neighbouring trees.
We encourage everyone to be on the lookout for PSHB damage in their communities and to report observations of suspect borer activity.
Will there be closures?
Mounts Bay Gardens (Goonininup) is closed to pedestrian and vehicle access.
For visitor safety and to allow for essential restoration works to be undertaken, BGPA will be permanently closing Lovers Walk in early 2025. We understand that this will be disappointing to many park users and ask for understanding during this unprecedented emergency response to PSHB. Visitors will still be able to access Kokoda Steps from the top of the escarpment within Kings Park, but there will be no access from the base of the scarp.
A gate has been installed at the bottom of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk to manage access.
Access to the park from the escarpment base will be via Jacob’s Ladder or Spring Street.
These closures will be in place for visitor safety and we thank you for your patience and understanding.
Will this affect the slope stability?
Recent assessments of the escarpment have indicated that the slopes have undergone relatively minor erosion and deterioration. BGPA is managing the increased instability risk presented by tree removals through ongoing consultation with GHD (geotechnical engineers), regular assessments, as well as erosion control works and revegetation. Public safety measures will be in place for the duration of the project, including exclusion zones and rock catch fences. An exclusion zone will remain in place at Mounts Bay Gardens (Goonininup) and further along the escarpment in the vicinity of Lovers Walk for the duration of restoration works to manage public safety.
What will Mount Eliza and Mounts Bay Gardens (Goonininup) look like in future?
The first stage of the project is to control the immediate threat of PSHB. Once tree removals have been completed, BGPA will begin restoration of impacted areas. This webpage will be updated as the project progresses.
What is being done to combat PSHB?
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is managing the response to confirmed detections of PSHB.
Visit the DPIRD website for information on the beetle and biosecurity response.
How do I report PSHB?
Suspected PSHB sightings can be reported:
DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service
MyPestGuideTM