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By Catherine Watson
THE Tarwin Lower Cemetery is renowned for its wildflowers and orchids so locals were concerned in late February when they heard an excavator within the hallowed grounds.
Several tracks were cleared through the vegetation at the direction of the Tarwin Lower Cemetery Trust, apparently to create firebreaks and to access and remove patches of sallow wattles.
The clearing is the latest incident in a long-running disagreement between the trust and local naturalists about the values that should be preserved at the cemetery, one of the oldest in South Gippsland.
THE Tarwin Lower Cemetery is renowned for its wildflowers and orchids so locals were concerned in late February when they heard an excavator within the hallowed grounds.
Several tracks were cleared through the vegetation at the direction of the Tarwin Lower Cemetery Trust, apparently to create firebreaks and to access and remove patches of sallow wattles.
The clearing is the latest incident in a long-running disagreement between the trust and local naturalists about the values that should be preserved at the cemetery, one of the oldest in South Gippsland.
The site is part of a wildlife corridor and home to koalas, echidnas, wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, snakes and lizards as well as many bird species. Bird groups, including BirdLife Bass Coast, are regular visitors.
The trust has previously rejected a proposal for a Friends of Lower Tarwin Cemetery group to advise on flora and fauna management, and to remove weeds more selectively.
The Post asked long-term trust chairwoman Margaret Fisher about the clearing and the proposal for a friends group but did not receive a response by deadline.
The trust has previously rejected a proposal for a Friends of Lower Tarwin Cemetery group to advise on flora and fauna management, and to remove weeds more selectively.
The Post asked long-term trust chairwoman Margaret Fisher about the clearing and the proposal for a friends group but did not receive a response by deadline.
Tarwin Lower Cemetery information board
Dinah Drummond, who helped to research and write the cemetery information boards on the flora and fauna of the site, was dismayed by the clearing.
She said non-target species including young banksias were flattened by the excavator. While most of the vegetation that was removed was mulched, some was dumped on other plants. There appeared to be no attempt to remove obvious weed species such as pittosporum and blackberry.
A South Gippsland Shire Council spokesperson said the council was aware of the reported vegetation removal and had been in contact with the Cemetery Trust. “However, as the matter is currently under investigation, we aren’t able to provide any further comments.”
She said non-target species including young banksias were flattened by the excavator. While most of the vegetation that was removed was mulched, some was dumped on other plants. There appeared to be no attempt to remove obvious weed species such as pittosporum and blackberry.
A South Gippsland Shire Council spokesperson said the council was aware of the reported vegetation removal and had been in contact with the Cemetery Trust. “However, as the matter is currently under investigation, we aren’t able to provide any further comments.”
Members of BirdLife Bass Coast who visited last weekend were unimpressed by the clearing.
That's bullshit - the shire should be able to answer any question of existing policies, typical historical enforcements, who to ask about anything they aren't responsible for, etc, etc