Banner to highlight dune vegetation

Gosford Council will erect a banner at Ettalong Beach foreshore in a move to deter future vandalism and highlight the importance of sand dune vegetation following a fire in the area last month.

"Recently there was an illegal fire ignited in a section of the sand dune vegetation along Ettalong Beach by an unknown source," Cr Terri Latella said.

"The illegal igniting of the fire... damaged the inner section of part of the sand dune vegetation protected under the Ettalong Beach Foreshore Plan Management.

"As a consequence of that damage... the entire sand dune vegetation in that section of the beach has been removed in an effort to clean up the fire damaged area.

"We must ensure this important environment area is not wiped out by further arsonist attacks."

The banner will be displayed at the site of the fire for a period of 28 days.

Council have also agreed on placing an advertisement in the local media advising of council's policy on vandalism and seeking information from the public or any eye witnesses to the setting of the fire.

Cr Latella failed to gain support for an official investigation into the fire at a council meeting earlier this month.

Cr Latella said if council was not prepared to seek out the perpetrators of the fire at Ettalong Beach foreshore than the least they can do is highlight the importance of protecting the area to the community.

"The public need to know the importance of protecting coastal foreshore areas and that illegal vandalism will not be tolerated," Ms Latella said.

Cr Latella said the sand dune vegetation at Ettalong Beach was protected as a barrier to protect the beach against further erosion.

Woy Woy Bay resident and dune campaigner Ms Margaret Lund said she was disappointed in council's failure to launch an investigation into the fire at Ettalong Beach foreshore.

"At Ettalong there is absolutely no sign that there has ever been a fire," Ms Lund said.

"Just as there is no sign it would seem of an enquiry as to how, why or who caused this vandalism.

"Lest the public is left with the mistaken idea that fire is no longer a crime in the shire."

Ms Lund has welcomed council's plans to erect a banner at Ettalong Beach foreshore because it demonstrates to the public that such destruction is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

However, she has called for the destroyed area to be re-vegetated with native indigenous plants with the same promptness that was demonstrated in the council's efforts to clear away fire damage.

"This surely is the minimum for council to do if it is to confirm its environmental credentials," Ms Lund said.

Council Agenda NM.8, 8 April 2008