imported>Mitch Ames: /* History */ {{as of}} for dated statement

2025-07-31T13:26:41Z

History: {{as of}} for dated statement

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{{Short description|Island in Perth, Western Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox islands
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'''Heirisson Island''' is an artificially created island in the [[Swan River (Western Australia)|Swan River]] in [[Western Australia]] at the eastern end of [[Perth Water]], within the suburb of [[East Perth, Western Australia|East Perth]]. It occupies an area of {{convert|285600|m2|acre}}, and is connected to the two foreshores by [[the Causeway]] and the [[Boorloo Bridge]]. The next upstream island is [[Kuljak Island]], then [[Ron Courtney Island]], with no islands in the Swan River downstream between Heirisson Island and the [[Indian Ocean]] other than the artificial islet in [[Elizabeth Quay]].

Before development, there were several small islands, surrounded by [[mudflats]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47830053 |title=HEIRISSON ISLAND DEVELOPMENT. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=18 February 1950 |accessdate=11 June 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Over the years, dredging and reclamation has created a single island, which is now a landscaped nature reserve, with a {{convert|2|km|adj=on}} walking path.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46266472 |title=HEIRISSON ISLAND TAKES SHAPE. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=1 March 1947 |accessdate=11 June 2012 |page=6 Edition: SECOND EDITION |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The [[Noongar language|Noongar]] name for the area is {{lang|nys|'''Matagarup'''}} (meaning 'leg deep'), which has been retained for the single island after reclamation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/swan_river/living_with_the_land |title=Living on the River: State Library of Western Australia |website=www.slwa.wa.gov.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218121836/http://slwa.wa.gov.au/swan_river/living_with_the_land |archive-date=2011-02-18}} </ref>

Heirisson Island is listed on the [[Department of Aboriginal Affairs (Western Australia)|Western Australia Department of Aboriginal Affairs']] Register of Aboriginal Sites, as ID 3589.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyoongartentembassy.com/matagarup-heritage.html|title=Matagarup Heritage|publisher=Nyoongar Tent Embassy|accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://maps.dia.wa.gov.au/AHIS2/|title=Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System|publisher=Department of Aboriginal Affairs|accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref>

==History==
[[Image:Burswood peninsula - being a part of the 1838 plan.jpg|thumb|upright|The Heirisson Island area in 1838]]
[[File:Heirisson Island 1942.jpg|thumb|upright|Heirisson Island and surrounds in 1942]]

Heirisson Island originally consisted of six separate smaller islands surrounded by mudflats. By the 1940s, land reclamation and dredging of the Swan River to create two navigable channels saw the islands coalesce into one large island.<ref name=abc24>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-07/heirisson-island-matagarup-perth-/103248406 |title=WA state records reveal dreams of Olympic stadiums, a futuristic airport and a huge car park for Heirisson Island|date=6 January 2024|accessdate=6 January 2024|publisher=ABC News}}</ref>

The area around Heirisson Island is traditionally associated with the [[Beeloo]] people, a subgroup of the [[Whadjuk]] Noongar, who knew the small islands and mudflats as {{lang|nys|Matagarup}}, referring to the river as being "one leg deep". The island located on either side of the current causeway bridge was known as {{lang|nys|Kakaroomup}}. The {{lang|nys|Matagarup}} mudflats were the first major crossing point upriver from the river's mouth (at [[Fremantle, Western Australia|Fremantle]]) and were an important seasonal access way over which the Beeloo gave other groups right of passage across the river.

The first European to visit the Heirisson Island area was the Dutch explorer [[Willem de Vlamingh]] in January 1697. He was exploring the Swan River in [[longboat]]s but only got as far as the Heirisson Island(s) because the mudflats impeded any further progress. Heirisson Island was subsequently named after French midshipman {{ill |François-Antoine Boniface Heirisson |lt=François-Antoine Boniface Heirisson,|v=sup |fr |François Heirisson}} who was on the French ship ''Le Naturaliste'' on a scientific expedition led by [[Nicolas Baudin]] between 1801 and 1804.<ref name="pér09" />{{rp|143}} The expedition made several journeys up the river from Fremantle in longboats and made the first maps of the Swan River. The islands were named in June 1801. Captain [[James Stirling (Australian governor)|James Stirling]] later investigated the area in 1827 just before the [[Swan River Colony]] was settled in 1829.<ref>Appleyard, R. T. and Manford, Toby (1979). ''The Beginning: European Discovery and Early Settlement of Swan River Western Australia'', University of Western Australia Press. {{ISBN|0-85564-146-0}}</ref>

Before becoming a reserve the islands had been host to a shanty town and animals were seen grazing on the islands as late as the 1920s.<ref name=abc24/> In the late-1940s plans were drawn for the development of an extensive sporting complex on the now singular island which was envisioned to feature an athletics stadium, an Olympic swimming pool, and 18 tennis courts; however the venture was dropped following a potential cost blowout.<ref name=abc24/> Other proposals for the island throughout the years include those for a motel, a golf course, a caravan park, and a cultural centre with museums and concert halls. In 1966, it was proposed to develop Heirisson Island into an aerodrome for [[VTOL]] aircraft. There were also plans to fill in the western channel of the Swan River and join the island to East Perth.<ref name=abc24/>

[[Image:Yagan Statue 2005a.jpg|thumb|right|Yagan statue, Heirisson Island]]
In September 1984 the [[Government of Western Australia]] erected a statue of [[Australian Aborigine|Aboriginal]] warrior [[Yagan]] on the island. In 1997 the statue's head was twice removed by vandals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tracker.org.au/2012/04/a-journey-of-resistance/ |title=A journey of resistance |publisher=Tracker magazine |author=Chris Munro |date=2 April 2012 |accessdate=28 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229021308/http://tracker.org.au/2012/04/a-journey-of-resistance/ |archivedate=29 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In 1998, five female [[western grey kangaroo]]s were introduced onto the island, followed by a female with a male joey in 2000.<ref name="Long, 2003">{{cite book|last=Long|first=John|title=Introduced Mammals of the World: Their History, Distribution, and Influence|year=2003|publisher=CSIRO Publishing|location=Australia|isbn=0643067140|page=37|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7YC3cYhGMOcC&pg=PA37}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=City of Perth | title=Heirisson Island : kangaroo colony | publication-date=2000 | publisher=The City | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/36680890 | accessdate=11 June 2012 }}</ref>

In 2008 a new master plan for Heirisson Island was adopted by the [[City of Perth]] which proposed establishing an international quality sculpture park on the island as well as constructing an amphitheatre and a footbridge that would link Point Fraser to Heirisson Island.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Epcad | title=Concept development : Heirisson Island Sculpture Park | publication-date=1999 | publisher=Epcad | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/36497434 | accessdate=10 June 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Heirisson Island Sculpture Park Inc | title=Heirisson {{sic|hide=y|Is|land}} Sculpture Park sculpture on the Swan | publication-date=2009 | publisher=Heirisson Island Sculpture Park Inc | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/158599524 | accessdate=10 June 2012 }}</ref> The plan faced opposition from [[Aboriginal elder]]s, and {{as of|December 2022|lc=y}} the sculpture park and amphitheatre have yet to be established.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/anger-in-perth-over-heirisson-island-plans-20130516-2jo2m.html |title=Anger in Perth over Heirisson Island plans|date=16 May 2013|accessdate=20 December 2022 |publisher=WAToday}}</ref>

In December 2022, the construction of the [[Boorloo Bridge]] was approved to connect Point Fraser and McCallum Park in Victoria Park via Heirisson Island. The $100 million pedestrian and cycling bridge project began construction in November 2023,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/local-news/perthnow-central/wa-state-planners-approve-new-100-million-causeway-pedestrian-and-cyclist-bridge-in-town-of-victoria-park-c-9219145 |title=WA State planners approve new $100 million Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge in Town of Victoria Park|date=20 December 2022|accessdate=20 December 2022 |publisher=PerthNow}}</ref> and opened on 22 December 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joint media statement - Causeway pedestrian bridges set for December opening |url=https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/Joint-media-statement---Causeway-pedestrian-bridges-set-for-December-opening--20241114 |website=Media Statements |access-date=14 November 2024 |date=14 November 2024}}</ref>

==Aboriginal protests==

Heirisson Island has been the site of a number of protests by Australian Aboriginal activists.

===Tent embassy===
In 2012, the island was the site of a [[tent embassy]], set up in February by [[Noongar]] people to raise community awareness about problems with a government plan to extinguish most of the [[Native title in Australia|native title land]] in the southwest of Western Australia that was recognised in 2006 by Justice [[Murray Wilcox]] of the [[Federal Court of Australia]].<ref>Bennell v Western Australia FCA 1243 (Federal Court of Australia 2006).</ref><ref name=Inauguration>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyoongartentembassy.com/the-inauguration-of-the-nyoongar-tent-embassy.html|title=The Inauguration of the Noongar Tent Embassy|publisher=Noongar Tent Embassy|accessdate=3 May 2015}}</ref> The Noongar Tent Embassy was intended to be a peaceful affirmation of native title to Noongar country and legitimate use of a state-registered [[Aboriginal heritage site]],<ref name=KerrCox>Kerr, Thor & Cox, Shaphan (2013). R. Briggs, N. Lucy & S. Mickler (Eds.). ''[http://www.ctrl-z.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Setting-Up-the-Tent-Embassy-Kerr-Cox.pdf Setting up the Nyoongar Tent Embassy: a report on Perth media]''. Perth: Ctrl-Z Press.</ref> and was inspired by the [[Aboriginal Tent Embassy]] in [[Canberra]].<ref name=Inauguration/><ref name=KerrCox/> However, there were many claims made of rocks being thrown at passing boats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-18/rock-attack/3896892|title=Rocks hurled at passing Swan River boat|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=19 March 2012|accessdate=3 May 2015}}</ref> The tent embassy was removed by police in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3461817.htm|title=Aboriginal protestors vow to return to Heirisson Island|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=23 March 2012|accessdate=3 May 2015}}</ref>

===Refugee camp===
{{mainarticle|Matagarup Refugee Camp}}
In early March 2015, a group of Aboriginal activists set up what they referred to as a refugee camp after the state government announced plans to close some remote [[Aboriginal communities in Western Australia|Western Australian Aboriginal communities]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-02/aboriginal-protesters-set-up-camp-on-heirisson-island/6275534|title=Aboriginal protesters set up camp on Heirisson Island as some remote communities face closure|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=3 March 2015|accessdate=3 May 2015|author=Andrew O'Connor}}</ref> The camp was removed ten days later by City of Perth rangers, with police support,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-13/police-move-in-to-evacuate-heirisson-island-aboriginal-protest/6316254|title=Heirisson Island Aboriginal protest: Police move in to clear campers|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|author=Rebecca Trigger|date=13 March 2015|accessdate=3 May 2015}}</ref> but gradually reassembled and was occupied by about 100 people when it was dismantled again by police and City of Perth rangers in late April 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-30/arrests-as-police-remove-tents-at-heirisson-island-protest/6434364|title=Arrests as police remove tents at Perth's Heirisson Island Aboriginal protest|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=30 April 2015|accessdate=3 May 2015}}</ref>

In January 2016 a group of about 60 people{{snd}}including some non-indigenous homeless people{{snd}}were camping on the island again.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/aboriginal-protesters-return-to-heirisson-island-for-refugee-camp-20160120-gmaco5.html|title=Aboriginal protesters return to Heirisson Island for 'refugee camp'|date=21 January 2016|publisher=WA Today|author=Heather McNeill|accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref> By April 2016, the camp had grown to over 100 and it was again removed by police and rangers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/04/06/council-warns-campers-back-perth-island|title=Council warns campers back on Perth island|publisher=[[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]|date=6 April 2016|accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/homeless-people-evicted-from-heirisson-island-return-to-camp/news-story/b6d6a0901aae61d127ed0e046860bd55|title=Homeless people evicted from Heirisson Island return to camp|newspaper=Perth Now|author=Alyesha Anderson|date=6 April 2016|accessdate=26 May 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Islands of Perth, Western Australia]]

==References==
{{reflist |30em |refs=
<ref name="pér09">{{cite Q |Q128790983 |mode=cs1}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
* [http://www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.pic-an23148148 Vintage aerial photograph] by [[Frank Hurley]] at the [[National Library of Australia]]
*{{commons category-inline}}

[[Category:Perth Water]]
[[Category:Islands of the Perth region (Western Australia)]]
[[Category:Artificial islands of Australia]]

Heirisson Island - Revision history

imported>Mitch Ames: /* History */ {{as of}} for dated statement