Contrary to the statement by NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust that ‘no additional tree removal works were currently being planned’ for Brunswick Heads crown reserve parks, an application has been made to Byron Shire Council to remove a swathe of protected Coastal Cypress Pine trees from the southern section of Terrace Reserve, an area zone SEPP 14 Coastal Wetlands.
Both council and community submissions on The Terrace plan of management (POM) opposed the inclusion of this vulnerable area within the caravan park and there has been no explanation from the trustees or minister to justify the change of use and intensified use of this protected area for park activities, in clear breach of the EP&A act.
Council’s’s arborist reports the impact of heavy vehicles and camping activity is compacting the soil and affecting the health of the trees.
The removal of all lower limbs to enable large vehicle access has also contributed to their decline. Council’s recommendation is the trees be fenced off from the camping ground.
Campers clearly pose a significant health risk to these mature native trees and sick and ailing trees will also pose a threat to campers and public safety.
The fact NCHP is seeking the removal of a rare and protected species of trees to enable the expansion of commercial activity onto public parkland is certainly not deemed ‘good management of natural resources’ by this community.
Our public trustees are actually killing off the assets tourists most enjoy. We’re losing our native trees, the natural shady environment will be ‘upgraded’.
The beautiful riverside walkway remains obstructed only in Terrace Holiday Park in direct defiance of BSC resolutions and public access has been restricted to public boat ramps at Massey Greene and Ferry Reserve caravan parks.
How is this deemed good management practices when public assets are privatised or destroyed to solely benefit the commercial activities of NCHP?
Michele Grant, Foreshore Protection Group
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