LATE REPORT NO. 2 ORDINARY MEETING 23 FEBRUARY 2016

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Subject: ES LATE REPORT Illegal Removal of Vegetation Bennetts Head Rd, Forster

Index: Tree Destruction, PR-RES-TUN1 Author: Natural Assets Officer - Andrew Morris Ordinary Meeting: 23 February 2016

SUMMARY OF REPORT:

The issue of illegal removal of vegetation from Council Foreshore Reserves has been reported to Council on various occasions across multiple locations within the Great Lakes. Significant and ongoing removal of vegetation (through poisoning) has been identified on Bennetts Head Road, Forster (see Annexure A). Council staff are proposing to erect a fence and signage around this particular site to prevent further damage and facilitate regeneration of the site, as well as support revegetation activities. These actions are in line with those proposed in the adopted policy Management of Illegal Removal of Vegetation from Council Controlled Reserves (PL-PRK-004). As per the Policy, approval for the proposed works is being sought via a Development Application. A summary of the proposed works are provided in a site plan (Annexure B). Examples of proposed materials are included as Annexure C.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATION:

That the contents of this report and its intended action is noted.

FINANCIAL/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS:

Approximate materials cost of $5,000 plus staff time. This will be covered from within the existing Parks and Recreation budget.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS:

This process adheres to the adopted policy: Management of Illegal Removal of Vegetation from Council Controlled Reserves (PL-PRK-004).

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

Nil.

LIST OF ANNEXURES:

A: Pictures of vegetation removal (site 1) B: Proposed site management plans C: Example materials for fencing and signage

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:

Nil.

REPORT:

The issue of illegal removal of vegetation from Council Foreshore Reserves has been reported to Council on various occasions across multiple locations within the Great Lakes. Letter drops and other education programs are often sufficient to stop minor offences, however in 2006 Council adopted the Illegal Removal of Vegetation Policy to provide a process for staff to follow to respond to larger issues. This Policy (PL-PRK-004) allows for the erecting of semi-permanent fencing and signage to prevent future removal of vegetation and support the revegetation of the area. Approval for these works is to be sought through a development application. Illegal removal of vegetation through spraying and poisoning of trees (through drilling) has been identified opposite numbers 6-8 and 22-24 Bennetts Head Road, Forster (see Annexure A). On 1 February Council's Ranger inspected the area of Council-controlled Crown Land opposite numbers 6-8 Bennetts Head Road, Forster. The Ranger had been requested to inspect the site by the Parks Coordinator who raised concerns over the visible spraying, as well as the fact that this spraying was exposing the cliff edge and presenting a potential risk to Council's mower operators who maintain the area (see photos, Annexure A). Council's Natural Assets Officer and Parks Coordinator attended the site on Thursday 11 February to inspect site and determine actions to rectify the problem. Two separate sites have been identified at the location. A summary of the inspection is provided below: Site 1 (opposite #6-8 Bennetts Head Road):

Significant area of spraying in front of #6-8 Bennetts Head Road. Spraying extends +/- one metre from line of vegetation into surrounding grass

Sprayed area extends for 50 paces along the cliff edge

Area includes low lying vegetation on cliff edge as well as a small copse of trees including casuarina and banksia.

Inspection of the canopy identified dying trees in the small copse to the south of the sprayed area. Further inspection identified drilling of at least 5 trees in this area. Drill markings were all near the base of trees. Multiple holes were identified in each tree base, some of them quite fresh (Figure 3)

Site 2 (opposite #22-24 Bennetts Head Road):

Sprayed area in reserve along cliff edge opposite #22-24 Bennetts Head Road (Figure 4).

Sprayed area extends for 10 paces along the cliff edge

Area includes themeda grass and low lying vegetation including lantana (weed) and banksia. Themeda grassland on seacliffs and coastal headlands is considered an Endangered Ecological Community within NSW.

Recommended works: Site 1:

Establish temporary fencing and signage as per Policy PL-PRK-004 until vegetation re-establishes. Fencing to be hurricane style fencing with shade cloth (see site plan) around copse of trees in western area and wooden fencing with shade cloth along eastern cliff edge.

o As per policy this will require approval for this is to be sought through submission of a development application (DA).

Employ contractor to remove remaining weeds from degraded area and replant with identified native species

Install new zone markers near cliff edge to identify safe mowing areas in-line with Bennetts Head Maintenance and Regeneration Work manual.

Additional information provided in site plans.

See Figures 7-9 for further information on materials Site 2:

Establish temporary fencing and signage as per Policy PL-PRK-004 until vegetation re-establishes (see example site plan). Fencing to be temporary star-picket fencing with shade cloth equivalent to height of lost vegetation. Approval for this structure is to be incorporated into the DA discussed above.

Re-establishment of Themada grasses in the area to restrict access to cliff edge is the primary goal of revegetation here. As such, it is expected that fencing will be sufficient to allow grasses to re-establish in area.

Install new zone markers near cliff edge to identify safe mowing areas in-line with Bennetts Head Maintenance and Regeneration Work manual.

See Figures 7-8 for further information on materials A summary of these proposed works is included in a site plan provided as Annexure B. Council staff have met with the Development Application Panel (DAP) on 16 February and a development application and Review of Environmental Factors is being submitted to Council for review and approval. Examples of proposed materials from previous successful cases are included as Annexure C.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the contents of this report and its intended action is noted.

ANNEXURES:

A: Pictures of vegetation removal (site 1)

Pictures of drilling of trees (site 1)

Pictures of vegetation removal (Site 2)

B: Proposed site management plans

C: Example materials for fencing and signage Chain fence with shade cloth (proposed to be installed around the section where trees have been poisoned.

Low fence for protection of cliff-side vegetation (proposed to be used in Site 2 and the low-vegetation section of Site 1).

Proposed signage (to be erected in front of the section where trees have been poisoned)