The hard work and commitment of community volunteers in the Narrawallee Bushcare Group is being undermined by vandals destroying the foreshore at Matron Porter Drive Reserve.
In the latest incident, at least 30 Coastal Swamp Oaks (Casuarina glauca) were cut and felled, leaving exposed stumps and dead trees. This vegetation is listed as a Threatened Ecological Community under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW).
Council's Manager – Environmental Services, Dr Michael Roberts, said this latest incident would have a significant and cumulative impact on the environment.
"Vegetation growing in foreshore areas protects it and adjacent areas from erosion," said Dr Roberts.
"The importance of this vegetation is particularly pronounced during storm events that imposes a higher risk from wind erosion, excessive wave action and exacerbated tidal overruns. The vegetation also provides habitat for many local animal species," he said.
"This area has been diligently managed and maintained by members of Narrawallee Bushcare - dedicated community volunteers that remove weed species to increase the longevity of the native vegetation in the area."
Members of the Narrawallee Bushcare Group, which has been running for more than 25 years, rallied on site to inspect the destruction.
Paul Hayden, a volunteer of eight years said the whole group is hurt and disappointed.
"This vandalism has far-reaching environmental impacts for the foreshore, and it's also upsetting for the local community and visitors who come here to enjoy this area we've worked so hard to make beautiful," Paul said.
