Dune forum well attended

The Dune Management Forum hosted by the Peninsula Residents Association on February 18 was well attended, according to PRA secretary Ms Sheelagh Noonan.

"Margaret Lund, an active dunecare worker, spoke on the natural development of dunes over time, and their protective role in stabilising the foreshore and providing a particular ecosystem," Ms Noonan said.

"They are the cheapest, most natural line of defence for the Peninsula.

"Instability will result in recession.

"Samples of native dune vegetation were shown, giving particular attention to their unique features in dealing with this extremely hostile environment."

Ms Noonan said members of the audience were encouraged to join the Peninsula Dunecare Group which meets on the first Saturday of each month at 9am at the corner of Barrenjoey Rd, and The Esplanade, to help with regeneration of the dunes and their essential vegetation.

"Warren Boyd and Lynn Smith from the Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club spoke of their concern about rubbish and weeds in the vegetation in front of the club," Ms Noonan said.

"They suggested there be a working party to clean the area, probably to be held in the cooler months.

"Also suggested was additional garbage bins to be made available for food scraps which otherwise attract rats."

Further discussions are to be held between both groups in the hope of improving the area, Ms Nonnan said.

"John Harrison spoke about the effect of Council beach machining on bird and animal life on the dunes," Ms Noonan said.

"He described this as a 'highly destructive activity' which eradicates insect-eating birds and ghost crabs.

"Correctly, beach machining is done not as a dune management procedure but as a beach management procedure to 'clean' the beach.

"Removal of the strandline (sea weed and debris at the high tide mark) damages the dunes by depriving them of nutriment and water holding organic material.

"Machining the beach kills the small creatures which live in the sand (some 250 square. metres on these beaches).

"He recommended it be stopped completely.

"Bill McGilchrist stated the possibility of the dunes suffering the same fate as the Lance Webb reserve, if they are not protected."

A copy of the Ettalong and Ocean Beach Dune Management Plans are available for reference by contacting 0419 609 942

Press release, February 22 Sheelagh Noonan, Peninsula Residents Association