Enjoy the view!

By Catherine Watson
 
AFTER years of warnings and empty threats, the council is finally about to get heavy with coastal residents who clear public land to improve their sea view. 
 
The council is responsible for managing more than 40 kilometres of Crown Land foreshore reserve. Up till now it has relied largely on “community education” with little impact.
 
On Wednesday councillors adopted a new policy with much stronger sanctions to deal with vegetation vandals, including an option to block stolen views with large signs displaying the facts,

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Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said the council recently erected a large sign on the Cape Woolamai foreshore where tree roots had been damaged, resulting in a tree dying.  

“The latest vandalism at this location had been going on for several weeks, and adds to previous damage spanning a number of years.

“If people think they will get away with destroying vegetation on public land by cutting a bit here and a bit there, they need to think again.

“Officers will investigate all suspicious activity, including lab-testing leaf samples for evidence of herbicide use. While we are building a case for prosecution, offender’s attempts to clear a view or path will be thwarted by large, unattractive signs.

“The sign is big – it’s three metres high by three metres wide and we put it up as a further deterrent to tree vandals. Any views that might have been gained by destroying those trees are now ruined by the large sign.”

The site will be replanted with indigenous coastal dune plant species and the sign will remain in place until the replanted vegetation is well established.

Cr Whelan said the new policy clearly communicates the council’s commitment to protecting vegetation on the public land it manages.

“Since European settlement, only around 10 per cent of Phillip Island’s indigenous vegetation remains and much of this is in coastal reserves. This vegetation is vitally important for the conservation of our natural heritage.

“Coastal vegetation also plays an important role in providing habitat for native animals, stabilising sand dunes and protecting nearby houses and roads from the elements.”

Cr David Rooks: “With climate change and rising seas, it’s even more important to protect vegetation on public land. We are referring to public land. It’s not private land. People don’t have the right to go in and destroy vegetation.”.
 
Cr Clare Le Serve: “People seem to be buying for the view. Vegetation is habitat and protects the sand dunes and the infrastructure that sits behind the dunes.”
 
Cr Rochelle Halstead: “We should put a bit of education around those residents living on our shoreline so they understand that vegetation holds the sand dunes together.”
 
Cr Bruce Kent: “I did a walk along the foreshore at Grantville with concerned community members and the number of pathways cut through so some selfish individual can have their view is unbelievable.
“To these people who cut paths down to the beach, you’re going to have a fantastic beach view. The water’s going to be lapping at your back door soon and you can only blame yourselves.”
 
Cr Ron Bauer: “This new policy is a blunt instrument. It does not distinguish between a twig and a tree. I can show you examples where council has been derelict in its duty and the residents have had no choice but to take matters into their own hands."

The motion to adopt the new foreshore policy was adopted eight votes to one, with only Cr Ron Bauer voting against it. He said the policy had not been discussed with residents and the council had no mandate to act.  

​Anyone with information about tree vandalism is encouraged to contact Council on 1300 226 278 or 5671 2211 or email [email protected].