Cleaning up weeds from the picturesque headland between Pretty Point and McKenzies Beach will be the mission of a new Landcare group launched last Friday.
The group was instigated by a couple of keen Malua Bay residents who put out a call for help and were greeted with an enthusiastic crew of new volunteers.
The neighbours got together on the headland for the first time last week and McKenzies Beach Landcare was born.
Joined by Eurobodalla Landcare Coordinator Emma Patyus and Council staff, the group heard how important Landcare volunteers are in the fight against invading weeds.
Some of the residents had never met before, but Ms Patyus said after a couple of hours exploring the bushland together and learning about the plants around them they were chatting like old friends and looking forward to their next get together.
“Landcare is a social group as much as it is an environmental group,” she said.
“A lot of people don’t like removing weeds but when it’s done with neighbours and friends, it becomes enjoyable and a lot more gets done.”
“Many of the volunteers walk the small track across the headland and have been inspired by their new knowledge about which plants are which and how to recognise and treat the invading weeds.
“In fact, some were heading home after the workshop to get started with treating the weeds in their own backyards.”
Problem weeds around McKenzies Beach include creeping groundsel, asparagus fern, Japanese honeysuckle and senna, all of which have creep into the reserve from nearby properties and dumped vegetation waste.
McKenzies Beach Landcare group plans to work on both public land and private properties to ensure weeds are kept at bay and to allow native vegetation and animals to flourish.
Council will assist with the initial knockdown of the largest weed infestations.
Eurobodalla has 27 Landcare groups. To find out more or become part of Landcare, contact Emma Patyus on 4474 7300.
Above: McKenzies Beach - photo by Josh Burkinshaw Photography
