Original Post 13 July 2013
Representatives from Byron Shire Chemical Free Landcare and Save Tyagarah Nature Reserve From Aerial Spraying Facebook group meet with National Parks and Wildlife Service Local Area Manager Sue Walker, to discuss the scheduled aerial spraying of Bitou Bush in Byron Shire.
Despite plans for spraying to start during the week, Sue Walker told the group “No spraying would happen because the weather forecast is not ideal for the operation”. It’s proposed the operation would go ahead the following week, weather permitting.
Concerns were raised about the NPWS pesticide-intensive management regime for Bitou Bush on public land and a request was made that no new areas be sprayed, in particular Tyagarah Nature Reserve.
The spraying operation would see parts of the Tyagarah Nature Reserve aerially sprayed from 870 metres South of the Northern boundary of the reserve, heading all the away along until Belongil Creek. It’s unclear for how many years this spraying would occur and what the expected results would be.
The group put it to NPWS that Tyagarah Nature Reserve instead be managed using a non-chemical, ecological restoration approach which is safe for the environment and community and also proven to be effective. Sue Walker agreed to consult with Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) about Tyagarah Nature Reserve and report back to the group.
Questions were raised with Ms Walker about the residual impacts of the herbicide metsulfuron methyl and the risks it poses to littoral rainforest species, including the threatened Pink Nodding Orchid, as well as marine life along the shoreline.
When asked about coastal erosion, Sue Walker told the group experts had inspected the areas and determined the removal of Bitou Bush would not exacerbate erosion, a baffling conclusion since Bitou Bush was originally planted to stop erosion. Currently, the dune cliffs at Tyagarah Beach are around seven metres high with the Bitou Bush perched on top.
Given the high degree of community concern about aerial spraying in the Shire, the group took issue with the inadequate community consultation and notification for this intensive spraying operation. The NPWS have placed a limited number of notices in local papers, but it hasn’t utilised electronic media to get the information to the community and to hear their feedback.
Despite being formally invited to attend a free public seminar to answer community questions, Sue Walker advised, “She did not have staff to attend”.
Nadia de Souza Pietramale
Byron Shire Chemical Free Landcare
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