A foreshore tree lopping demonstration, which opponents claim would green light private property owners chopping vegetation to improve their ocean views, is on the back burner.
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Shoalhaven City Council has voted to defer starting the demonstration site, pending a report from council staff on legal, environmental and community concerns.
Annie Boutland from Ulladulla spoke to council this week and presented a petition she organised with more than 900 signatures against the trial site, proposed for a section of Collingwood Beach.
"It was good to see councillors ready to consider that their plan to lop along half the beach might not be the best move.”
- Annie Boutland
She oversees two Bushcare sites in Ulladulla where she said property owners had committed “vegetation vandalism” to improve their views.
Councillor Amanda Findley moved the demonstration site be deferred, Mayor Jo Gash seconded and almost all councillors supported, with the exception of Andrew Guile and Greg Watson.
“Protecting Collingwood Beach dune vegetation is not resolved, but it was good to see councillors ready to consider that their plan to lop along half the beach might not be the best move,” Ms Boutland said after the meeting.
“I believe the plan could also jeopardise council’s ability to get government grants for environmental projects.
“Why should the NSW Government give Shoalhaven City Council grants for environmental projects in some areas, when it is undertaking major environmental destruction in others?”
Under the alliance called Save Collingwood Beach, Ms Boutland and associate at Vincentia, Mark Corrigan, each organised petitions which have garnered a total of around 2000 signatures.
Ms Boutland was not surprised that council consultant, NGH Environmental, had distanced itself from the demonstration plan to lop vegetation along a 1.5 kilometre stretch of Collingwood Beach to a height between one metre and 1.5 metres.
NGH refused to support the proposal, citing risk of mortality of shrubs and trees and the reduction in dune stability.
“This is exactly what I have been telling council, and one of the key reasons I started the petition,” Ms Boutland said.
“Lopping would eventually lead to a situation like that at Collaroy Beach, where extreme weather events threaten not just private properties, but also public assets like sewage lines, pathways and roads.
“If this proposal goes ahead it will set a dreadful precedent for other parts of the coast where vegetation vandalism is rife, such as Bawley Point and Mollymook Beach.”