Prior to 1998, the majority of the area now included within Bold Park enjoyed no protection from potential development, although the State Government formally acknowledged its importance and conservation value in 1985.
The Friends of Bold Park Bushland was formed in 1987 to oppose development and lobby for the protection of this unique 437 ha of urban bushland. In the subsequent 11 years our group undertook a series of successful campaigns against proposed developments within the area.
In 1987, we received overwhelming public support for our opposition to the former Bond Corporation's proposed 19 ha 'Knightsbridge' urban development on Stephenson Ave. The Environmental Protection Authority subsequently rejected the proposal twice. Following the collapse of Bond Corporation the State Government purchased the land for inclusion in Bold Park.
Other successful campaigns included lobbying the former Perth City Council to add a large area of bushland to the Park rather than sell it off, and the realignment of West Coast Highway in south City Beach, to minimise the loss of bushland, or in their words 'intrusion into the park'. The Friends were also the chief proponents advocating expansion of the Park's boundaries to form a 437 ha regional park. This included expanding the southern and northern boundaries of the Park to embrace the 'Mount Claremont Bushland' - now referred to as Bold Park Sanctuary - and the area north of Oceanic Drive.
These efforts were richly rewarded in 1998 with the creation of the Bold Park 'A' Class Reserve and in 2001 with the release of the inaugural Bold Park Environmental Management Plan 2000-2005, on which we had substantial input.