The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will install surveillance cameras and increase patrols of the Pelican Island Nature Reserve following a spate of vandalism acts.
In announcing an investigation, NPWS Central Coast Area Manager Steve Atkins said the illegal activities, including camping, lighting fires, littering, damage to park signs and destruction of native vegetation, had raised concerns about the conservation of the vital natural habitat.
“Pelican Island Nature Reserve spans 40 hectares in the heart of Brisbane Water, protecting crucial estuarine vegetation such as the Swamp oak and the Saltmarsh Endangered Ecological Community,” Atkins said.
“This island offers sanctuary to native animals and birds, including white-bellied sea eagles, a threatened species in NSW.
“We’ve faced repeated challenges at Pelican Island, with the park sign needing to be replaced three times since January 2023, due to repeated removals by vandals.”
Atkins said a recent inspection revealed that more than 70 casuarina trees had been cut down, and the ground littered with broken glass bottles, rubbish and remnants of fires.
The nature reserve is only accessible by boat.
Anyone with information about vandalism at Pelican Island Nature Reserve is asked to contact the local NPWS Girrakool office on 4320 4200 or email parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Source:
National Parks and Wildlife Service