Fence and banner installed around poisoned trees

Temporary fencing and an educational banner have been installed around the sites of illegal tree destruction at Point Vernon.

The fences will limit access to the sites, especially when there is a danger from falling branches and they will protect seedlings planted to revegetate the sites.

The sites are on both sides of the Esplanade at Gatakers Bay.

Fraser Coast Regional Councillor David Lewis said independent soil analysis of the sites found traces of a residual herbicide and the fence would help ensure public safety while the area was rehabilitated.

“Council wants to limit access to the site while there is a danger of branches falling from the dead trees and poison in the soil,” he said.

“The poison is continuing to kill vegetation on the sites.

“It is intended that the fence will remain until new trees we plant on the site reach the height of the fence. That should take about two years.

“An educational banner has been attached to the fence to raise awareness within the broader community about illegal tree destruction on Council reserves.

“It is estimated that the rehabilitation of the area will cost at least $40,000. That includes soil testing, replanting and establishing the new trees.”

On the beachside of the Esplanade, the fence protects a 25-metre strip of foreshore where the vegetation has been gradually getting thinner and thinner.

“We’re pretty sure these are targeted attacks because soil analysis found traces of herbicide and even the replanted trees were destroyed,” Cr David Lewis said.

The fences are the latest Council response to the destruction of trees at a number of sites along the Hervey Bay Esplanade.

“Unfortunately there is a history of vegetation damage along the Hervey Bay foreshore where trees have been cut down or poisoned,” Cr Lewis said.

“We hope the education material on the fence will draw attention to the vandalism of trees and vegetation on Council reserves.

“A recent survey of residents as part of the development of a coastal erosion strategy indicated many are in favour of tougher action on the destruction of foreshore vegetation.”