Though Byron Shire Council removed invasive aquatic weed at Waterlily Park last July, the lake is again covered with salvinia molesta, and parrot’s feather (myriophyllum aquaticum) weeds.
Residents say they can’t understand why more isn’t being done to solve the problem.
The salvinia, which spreads very quickly, has formed a thick mat over the surface of the lake, and the parrot’s feather was also well established – last July, an aquatic weed harvester was on the lake at Ocean Shores removing the weed, but now there is just one small patch at the western end of the lake that is clear, the rest is covered.
At that time, Council’s Open Space Technical Officer, Andy Erskine, said the salvinia is a recurrent problem at Waterlily Park, and Council normally uses special weevils, bred by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, to control the weed.
‘The Salvinia weevil has been used successfully at Waterlily Park on several occasions, but it does not like the cold weather,’ he said last July. ‘The weevils, which are about 2mm long, perform well in hot weather, and stop breeding when the mercury drops to below 17 degrees.
‘The weed is so thick at the moment that something needed to done so the aquatic harvester has been brought in to get rid of as much weed as possible.’
Back after two months
Local man, David Kennedy, says the 2024 harvest didn’t remove edges.
‘It came back within two months. By the time the new Council were elected in September, it was back like this.’
Liz Friend lives nearby, and says Waterlily Park is a community place and should be better looked after. ‘The salvinia and parrot’s feather weeds have probably covered two-thirds of the lake now – it’s completely out of control and Byron Council needs to remove the weeds again ASAP!’
Another Ocean Shores resident, Ron Curran, says there is a Waterlily Park Community Facebook group who are very active in beautifying the area, but it has gotten beyond them.
‘It’s such a massive situation, it’s a bit beyond the community reach.’
Currently Mr Erksine is on leave and unable to comment on the current situation at the lake.
Mr Kennedy says he has stopped using the the area as much. ‘I used to walk around the lake and talk to people and look at the birdlife. Lately, I’ve just been going to gym and walking home.
‘In my opinion, we’ve got a fake “Green” Council. If you claim to be Green, you can’t leave anything like this for ten months.’
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