Vandalism continues without prosecution

Gosford Council had not prosecuted incidents of vandalism to native vegetation along the Ettalong foreshore, despite continuing reports.

The most recent incident reported to the council occurred last week.

Council's coordinator of parks, playgrounds and foreshores Ms Kim Radford said the council's Regional Tree and Vegetation Vandalism Policy has made it illegal for anyone to harm or deface native vegetation.

However, the policy relied on community support and education to be effective, she said.

"Prosecution has not occurred because council has not been able to obtain firm evidence to support a court case or witnesses to testify against perpetrators," Ms Radford said.

"The vegetation vandalism policy has been developed to provide a regionally consistent approach to the issue.

"The policy provides an effective framework to deal with the issue and enables prosecution of perpetrators.

"The problem council faces is the difficulty associated with obtaining evidence and witnesses to support a court case.

"Effective implementation of the policy requires support from local business groups, community organisations and residents.

"Community education is also important, including increased awareness that the policy exists, how they can help should they obtain evidence of vandalism occurring and also increase the awareness of the fines involved."

Ms Radford said council was currently working with the local bush care group to develop interpretive signage to highlight the significance of the dune vegetation and the project would complement actions undertaken in accordance with the vandalism of vegetation.

"Anti-vandalism signs are still present along The Esplanade at Ettalong and Umina," Ms Radford said.

"And where a severe case of deliberate vandalism occurred with banksia trees that were drilled and poisoned, a sign still remains at these trees."

"Council's Regional Tree and Vegetation Vandalism Policy was developed in light of increasing tree/vegetation vandalism being experienced by councils across the region.

"This is particularly apparent in the coastal zone where development pressure and conflicts between water views and vegetation has seen an increase in the vandalism of trees and vegetation on public land under the care, control and management of councils such as the dune systems at Ettalong and Umina."

Ms Radford said photos that appeared in the last edition of Peninsula News showing what appeared to be damage to dune vegetation at Ettalong foreshore was the result of strong winds and an Ettalong Beach Business Group clean-up.

"The photos were actually the result of a clean-up undertaken by the Ettalong Beach Business Group," Ms Radford said.

"The large branches that had been pulled out of the dune area had actually come down in the strong winds as a result of the timber of the tree rotting.

"Weeding works were also undertaken.

"Some weeks before, someone had gone through this area and pruned the top off some young Banksias and also cut back some Acacias and the branches were just left in the dunes.

"These were also picked up by the business group during their clean-up."

Ms Radford said the business group had been permitted to undertake rubbish removal and weeding as part of their monthly clean-up and no council bush care officer was present while work was carried out on the vegetation.

The business group have been permitted to undertake rubbish removal and weeding as part of their monthly clean up of Ettalong.

Clare Graham, 24 Sep 2010 Interview: Kim Radford, Gosford Council