Praise for weed removal

The Killcare Wagstaffe Trust has praised the efforts of a local bush regeneration company for the removal of weeds from the Killcare dune area.

Gosford Council sub-contracted the Engedi Environment Management company in June to manually remove weeds from the dune area next to the car park on Killcare Rd.

"Engedi removed very old and gigantic bitou bush that had grown in some areas as high as three meters," group publicity coordinator Mr Terry Jones said.

"The large bitou was entangled in the canopy of the native trees including coastal banksia and coastal tea tree which inhibited their growth and ability for seedlings to grow through the dense weeds.

"The large rafts of dead bitou that were left on site will soon decompose and the organic matter will provide an excellent humus for the sandy soil.

"Some lantana and asparagus fern were also killed and left to decay on site.

"Engedi used hand tools and a little poison to complete the task.

"Approximately 3600 square metres of weed were cleared from the area."

Newsletter, 31 Jul 2008 Terry Jones, Killcare Wagstaffe Trust