Dear NRPG members and interested,

I am sad to say that Bill King, founder of the Nature Reserves Preservation
Group of Kalamunda(NRPG) in 1989, passed away on 10 Dec 2025, in Kalamunda.

The NRPG, now an incorporated body still active in protecting the natural
environment, began in response to Bill's request for residents opposed to
the proposed sale of 40 bush reserves for housing. The first meeting was
held at Bill's Lesmurdie residence, with the purpose to prepare for a
special meeting of electors. At a later meeting at Bill's house on August 21
1989, two sitting councillors attended, offering to liaise with Council and
advise on procedural matters. This was the first official meeting, at which
the decisions to form 'NRPG' and to call a special meeting of electors were
made. Bill King was elected Convenor, Tony Fowler Deputy.

More details from the NRPG 20th anniversary newsletter (attached):

Nature Reserves Preservation Group (NRPG) Inc. A Brief History.
This year is the 20th anniversary of the NRPG. 
In recognition of this milestone, the following is a truncated history of
the NRPG compiled by Tony Fowler, a founding member and long standing office
bearer and past President.

The Catalyst
In mid 1989 the Kalamunda Shire proposed selling off 40-or-so bush reserves
for housing, and purchasing an equivalent area of land for four large
recreation reserves. This was to become known as Scheme 13. Letters of
opposition to the scheme appeared in the local press and local Lesmurdie
resident Bill King requested those opposed to the scheme contact him.

The Beginning
On 16 June a meeting was held at Bill King's house to prepare strategy,
including six motions to be put, for a proposed Special Meeting of Electors 
On the 21st August the inaugural meeting of 'NRPG' was held at Bill King's
house. Bill was elected Convenor, Tony Fowler Deputy. Councillors Clyde
Bevan and Dennis Harwood offered to liaise with council and advise on
procedural matters. CSIRO research botanist John Marshall offered his
services in an advisory capacity. The decision was made to form Nature
Reserves Preservation Group and to call a Special Meeting of Electors. The
NRPG collected 740 signatures of those opposing Scheme 13.
A survey of Scheme 13 reserves, compiled by John Marshall, was published on
18th September 1989. 

The Action
On a wet, windy night of 27th September 1989 close to 1000 residents
attended the Special Meeting of Electors. The council hall was full and
people were outside on the verandah. At the meeting, six motions were
proposed that led to Shire actions including the appointment of the Shire's
first environmental officer, the formation of what is now CESAC, and a 1990
Shire Strategic Plan having as Corporate Goal 3 'To be environmentally
sensitive and encourage the retention and rejuvenation of our environment.'

The outcomes
On 16th November 1989 the Kalamunda Shire CEO invited six NRPG nominees to a
special meeting of Shire Planning and Building Services Committee to be held
on 29th November '...to consider options for treatment of local public open
space areas in the Shire.'
This was followed by a meeting on the 17th May 1990 with Shire staff to
discuss Strategic Plan Goal #3 objectives (the environment). In June, the
NRPG requested CEO Kelly allot $50K in 1990/91 budget for an Environmental
Officer and as a result, in July 1990 the Shire advertised for an
Environmental Officer in the employment pages of the West Australian.

Consolidation
In September 1990 the NRPG organised a Logo Competition for 12-17 year olds.
The winner was Andrew Hutchison (14) from Bickley. The logo remains on our
letterhead and can be seen on a bus shelter on Canning Road.
In October 1990, the Shire invited nominations from the NRPG for membership
of the Nature Reserves Advisory Committee (NRAC). In early 1991, NRAC was
re-named Bush Reserves Advisory Committee (BRAC), later to be re-named the
Community Environmental Advisory Committee (CEAC) and, more recently, the
Community Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee (CESAC).
In 1993 the NRPG was finally incorporated.

Ongoing contribution and activity.
1994: Input into and submission on the Shire's District Conservation
Strategy (DCS) by many members over many hours, finalised 1995.
1994: Submission to the Select Committee on Metropolitan Development and
Groundwater Supplies in the Perth Metropolitan Area.
1995 onwards: Battle to preserve natural bushland within the Activ land in
High Wycombe.
1996: Submission on the proposed Darling Range Regional Park.
1996: Reserves database presented to the Shire.
2004: Submission, through CEAC, for the establishment of a dedicated 'Bush
Regeneration Team'. (this was approved in the budget as a 'Reserves/verges'
team and active by May 2005).
2004: Submissions on: Kewdale-Hazelmere Region Integrated Master Plan, Swan
Coastal Plain Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Wetlands) Policy
and Regulations 2004, Metropolitan Region Scheme amendment #1082/33 Bush
Forever and Related Lands, Bushland Policy for the Perth Metropolitan Region
Statement of Planning Policy 2.8, Local Government Biodiversity Planning
Guidelines for the Perth Metropolitan Region (WALGA 2004), Perth and Peel
'Dialogue with the City' Strategy (DPI and WAPC 2004).
2005: Submission on BGC brickworks on airport land.
24 page submission on Kalamunda Shire Town Planning Scheme (TPS) 3.
2009 Latest submission: On Perth Airport Draft Environmental Strategy
2009/14.

Funding
While funding for the NRPG has been strictly through membership fees and
private donations, as an incorporated body the committee and members have
successfully applied for many environmental grants available for projects
conducted by affiliated Friends Groups. From 1996 to the present time, the
NRPG has attracted $70,899 in funding for environmental projects within the
Shire or Kalamunda.
 
Tony Fowler said "Bill King was a person who would get things done. Even in
retirement he had a drive that was the envy of many younger NRPG members.
His move to Albany was a loss to the hills community, but he continued his
environmental work there and later, in Mandurah." He continued as bird
enthusiast monitoring and advocating for conservation.

Vale Bill King,

Kind regards,

Steve Gates
President, NRPG Bushcarers