Twelve trees have been removed from a Bateau Bay picnic area in Wyrrabalong National Park following their deliberate poisoning.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) confirmed that vandalism of vegetation in the Park, between Burrawong St, Norahview St and Rushby Dr, had been an ongoing issue for many years.
A spokesperson said NPWS had recorded repeated instances of poisoning, mowing and pruning of native vegetation in the area, including deliberate damage to rehabilitation work conducted by community Wyrrabalong Bushcare volunteers.
Visitor to the area, Lee Thompson, said she was shocked and appalled to see that many of the old large trees along the top of the beach and car park had been poisoned, as stated by the extremely large sign which now greets you as you look towards the ocean.
“Seeing that these trees had been destroyed like this very much ruined my experience of what was an otherwise beautiful sunrise on Christmas Eve,” she said.
“I think these old large trees must have been affecting someone’s view of the ocean, so perhaps cameras need to be installed to monitor the trees and to detect any vandals who attempt to harm them.
“We really need to cherish what little vegetation and beautiful old trees we have left, or we all will be living in a desolated desert,” Thompson said.
The NPWS investigated the damage to trees in the Bateau Bay Picnic Area and concluded that they had been deliberately poisoned with herbicide.
“NPWS was forced to remove 12 trees in the picnic area that had been poisoned as these trees had begun to crack and drop branches as they died, posing an unacceptable risk to visitor safety,” a spokesperson said.
“These deliberate attacks have not only damaged the delicate ecosystems within Wyrrabalong National Park but have also spoiled the amenity of a location that many people love.
“Locals and visitors have been deprived of the precious shade provided by these large trees in the picnic area while the loss of foreshore trees has destabilised and exposed the cliff edge to coastal erosion processes, resulting in slumping and undercutting of the picnic area.
“NPWS will be undertaking supplementary planting within the picnic area to replace the trees that have been lost and additional works are planned to restore vegetation along the cliff edges.
“The sign at Bateau Bay will be left in-situ until vegetation is re-established,” the spokesperson said.
It states “Vegetation in this location has been illegally damaged” and warns that people found deliberately damaging vegetation will be prosecuted.
It is an offence to poison, damage or destroy vegetation on National Park estate.
This offence carries a maximum penalty of $3,300.
NPWS is asking neighbours and visitors to respect the fencing and signage in the area and to report illegal activity in the Park to the NPWS Central Coast Area Office.
Sue Murray