Bitou bush bash at Grassy Head Nambucca Valley Nambucca Valley - popup ad Nambucca Valley News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - October 20, 2023 The Grassy Head Holiday Park. THOUGH periodically distracted by frolicking whale antics, no less than nineteen individuals turned up at the Grassy Head Beach on Sunday morning 15 October, all dedicated to the mission of tackling the invasive bitou bush, a scourge to our native coastal dune ecology and vegetation. According to the NSW Department of Primary Industries, bitou bush affects native plants mainly through competition, its high growth rate and, possibly, by releasing chemical inhibitors. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Dense stands of bitou bush exclude other indigenous plants, leading to decreasing floral biodiversity and, consequently, changes in faunal diversity. Stands of bitou bush also reduce the aesthetic appeal of natural environments and reduce recreational access to beaches and along walking trails. Along with the knowledge and on ground support of the South West Rocks Dune Care team, a crew from Stuarts Point and District Community Organisation (SPaDCO) were hands on with a supply of hats, gloves, sunblock, tools and documented identifying information. “I think our efforts will help a little towards sustaining healthy vegetation on the dunes,” SPaDCO Chairperson Mary-Lou Lewis said. “Hopefully we will be successful in a grant we applied for which is to engage contractors to do some hard yakka and spraying to control the bigger outbreaks of bitou. “If that occurs, we can come back and follow up to bits they missed, or hand pull small seedlings.” After a designated hour or so of community dune ‘weeding’, interspersed with whale watching, the combined crews retired to the carpark for a light morning tea, peppered with lots of shared conversation, and baked goodies delivered by the inimitable Chris Parke from SPaDCO, and the indefatigable Carol Schwensen, Country Women’s Association and Stuarts Point Hall Committee all-rounder. The resounding message is that we love our beaches and need to care for the welfare of the ecosystem we enjoy. To get involved and for information regarding local dune care visit http://southwestrocksdunecare.com.au/. For more information on SPaDCO visit https://spadco.com.au/. By Jen HETHERINGTON Many hands make light work. Refreshments were enjoyed after tackling bitou bush on the dunes. Bitou bush has been strangling native vegetation on the dunes.
