INFORMATION FROM COUNCIL ABOUT DUNE WEED CONTROL ON TOMAKIN BEACHES
A number of community members have raised concerns about the recent erosion of dunes on our local Tomakin beaches, and the spraying of Marram Grass.
Council has provided the following information, and will review the plantings at Tomakin, and where necessary organise infill planting as soon as possible.
DUNE WEED CONTROL WORKS AT TOMAKIN
Council has received funding through the NSW Environmental Trust Grant Program to control a number of dune weeds and restore the Eurobodalla dunes with native plant species.
Background The dune vegetation of Eurobodalla Shire has high conservation value but some areas are potentially under threat from weeds. This project aims to control six weed species throughout the Eurobodalla: Gladiolus gueinzii (coastal gladiolus), Ammophila arenaria (marram grass), Euphorbia paralias (sea spurge), Pelargonium capitatum (African pelargonium) and invasive Asteraceae species including but not limited to Gazania spp (gazania), Arctotheca populifolia (beach daisy) and Osteospermum ecklonis (African daisy).
These weeds have the ability to spread rapidly and can reduce vegetation quality, biodiversity and resilience of the dune system. The project is targeting these weeds as the size of their current populations and their distribution makes control feasible. Council is also continuing to control other declared weeds and high priority environmental weeds.
The Project The dunes at Tomakin Beach and The Cove are in relatively good condition and contain mostly native species apart from patches of marram grass. Marram grass is an exotic species which was once used in dune stabilisation projects but is now being replaced due to its ability to spread and form a monoculture, preventing other native species from regenerating. Marram grass has been controlled through this project and replanted with native dune species. The areas will be monitored and further control and revegetation will continue to be undertaken in these areas if necessary.
Council has been working with volunteer community groups, Local Aboriginal Land Council work crews and bush regeneration contractors with onground weed control and revegetation works.
How can you help Report any sightings of these weeds to council and if you need information on the weeds please go to the Weed Finder at http://www.erbg.org.au/weeds.php for pictures and descriptions of the weeds.
To get involved with the Tomakin Coastcare group or if you would like further information about the Eurobodalla Dune Project please contact Heidi Thomson at Council on 4474 1329 or heidi.thomson@esc.nsw.gov.au.
