Funds for Long Beach foreshore reserve

A project to improve biodiversity along the Long Beach foreshore reserve over the next three years can now get underway after Eurobodalla Shire Council accepted a grant of $52, 692 from the NSW Government Environmental Trust at its August ordinary meeting today.

Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is the term used to describe the variety of life found on Earth and all of the natural processes. This includes ecosystems, genetic and cultural diversity, and the connections between these and species.

The Coastal Wattle project, set to start this spring, is part of the implementation of council's 2010 Long Beach Coastal Wattle Management Strategy that aims to support natural plants and animals along this stretch of our coast and protect the beach and dune ecosystems.

The project's activities will include pruning and small-scale removal of Coastal Wattle (Acacia sophorae) and planting of some more suitable native plant species. Council is also planning to revegetate some bare areas of the reserve and to carry out weed and rabbit control.

Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Lindsay Brown says the council project was developed after Long Beach residents expressed concern about the spread of Coastal Wattle in the reserve.

"The project aims to remove the wattle in the areas where it has displaced local native foreshore species and to prevent its spread to other natural areas of Long Beach," said Cr Brown.

"We want to minimise the effect on other native plant species and preserve the biodiversity of the area."

The Mayor says the community will be invited to volunteer during the project. "Council will seek the help of volunteers for planting days, weed control and to look after the new plantings which will help make sure the project meets its objectives," said Cr Brown.

Over the next three years, the results of each activity will be carefully monitored by council to assess the project's success.

The funds for this project have been provided by the Environmental Trust's Restoration and Rehabilitation Program which aims to improve the capacity of communities and organisations to protect, restore and enhance the environment.

ENDS