Pambula Beach Weed Walk

On a "weed walk" at Jiguma Reserve, Pambula Beach, last weekend local botanist Stuart Cameron was able to illustrate for residents the impact of escaped garden plants on native coastal vegetation around our coastal villages.

The guided walk was part of a project involving the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, Bega Valley Shire Council, the Far South Coast Landcare Association and National Parks.

"The 'weed walkers' were able to see how a wide range of garden escapes had spread into this beautiful and much visited coastal reserve by being washed down drainage lines and by illicit dumping of garden waste," Council’s weeds manage, Ann Herbert, said.

"Some species of particular concern for their serious impact on native coastal vegetation, such as polygala (milkwort), African daisy, agapanthus and various invasive succulents, are still very common in Pambula Beach gardens.

"In several cases it was possible to trace infestations back to parent plants in gardens further up the slope," she said.

"A pamphlet, 'Grow Me Instead', which identifies weedy garden plants and suggests suitable alternatives for local gardens, has been produced by Council and can be obtained from Council and National Parks offices.

"On July 27, National Tree Day, weedy garden species will be under the spotlight again when the South East NSW group of the Australian Plant Society hands out free native plants to gardeners and school groups who bring invasive species to Merimbula Landfill for destruction.

"Bega Valley Shire Council is supporting this initiative by supplying the plants."

For further information, Ann Herbert on 6499 2288