While camphor laurel is recognised by the NSW Department of Primary Industries as an invasive weed, the Chair of the Far North Coast Branch of the NSW Farmers Association says Tweed Shire Council (TSC) is proposing to protect them while having ‘no plan to remove or control them’.
Chair Craig Huf told The Echo that Council’s draft development control plan (DCP) proposes retaining exotic trees over one metre, ‘a move local farmers say will further entrench a weed that is already causing significant environmental damage and pushing farmers to the brink’.
‘These are trees that cause massive environmental damage and have a huge impact on farmers bottom line,’ Mr Huf said. ‘Every year, these council protected large camphor laurels produce vast quantities of seed, which are widely spread by native birds. They remain as permanent seed factories, reinfesting surrounding forest and farm land year after year. While the standing trees may appear harmless, those seeking to protect them have given little consideration to the fact that they generate enormous volumes of seed and cause widespread environmental damage.’
‘Warnings about camphor laurel’s spread are not new’, he says. ‘In 2017, highly regarded Northern Rivers ecologist and environmental advocate Dr Stephen (Steve) Phillips was reported as describing camphor laurel as “ubiquitous” when speaking about the impact and effect of camphor laurel across the region, noting that vegetation mapping had identified areas of “one hundred per cent camphor covering hectares and hectares.”
According to Mr Huf, the consequences of the cycle are already visible across the region.
‘You don’t have to go far to see what happens when landholders are already overburdened,’ he said. ‘Seedlings establish quickly, people fall behind, and before long entire paddocks, creek lines and bushland are overtaken. This isn’t neglect – it’s what happens when the cost, red tape needed for removal, and workload become impossible to keep up with’, Mr Huf said.
Council staff reply
The claims were put to Tweed Shire Council staff, who replied, ‘Tweed Shire Council understands community concerns about invasive species such as camphor laurel and recognises the impact they have on the environment and local economy’.
‘The proposed changes in the Draft Tweed Development Control Plan (DCP) 2025 do not increase protection for camphor laurel or other invasive weeds.
‘Key points include:
- The draft DCP applies only to urban zoned land. It does not affect rural land or farming activities, which continue to be managed under the Local Land Services Act 2013.
- Current rules require approval to remove very large trees (80cm diameter or more) in urban areas, including non-native species.
- The draft plan proposes reducing this size to 40cm to better protect urban trees, but invasive species such as camphor laurel are excluded where they are less than 100cm in diameter (see Schedule 1 of Section B2).
- Trees in urban areas provide important benefits such as shade, cooling, cleaner air and carbon absorption.
‘Council is committed to balancing environmental health with practical land management. The draft DCP is on public exhibition and we encourage the community to review the document and provide feedback’.
Mr Huf told The Echo Council’s reply confirms his concerns. He said:
- Recognising the issue of camphor’s impact to the environment and the burden on farmers in no way resolves it! It’s just empty words!
- Council has a plan to protect these invasive species but has no plan to remove, or even control them.
- While the amendments do not increase protection of invasive weeds they do not remove the protection of them, and it is our view (and indeed the purpose of our media release) that amendments should be focused on removal rather than preservation!
- While the DCP controls apply to urban zoned land, the protection will still impact rural land holders because: a) native pigeons don’t stay within city (urban) limits and b) large tracks of rural land (perhaps as much as 50% ) are planned to be rezoned as conservation (C Zones) over the coming years and C Zones will have these urban planning controls applied to them. C Zones will no longer have the LLS rules referred to apply. To suggest otherwise is simply misleading. This is another reason for our release.
- We are not concerned with technicalities and measurement of the trees, the proposed changes of which will make next to no difference, we are concerned that resource is being allocated for an invasive weed to be protected and there is no resource being allocate for a strategy (even long term) for the removal of them!’
Commercial harvesting
Mr Huf believes the answer lies in opening up viable pathways for the commercial harvesting of camphor laurel, allowing mature trees to be removed at scale rather than left standing as permanent seed sources.
However, he said Tweed Shire Council has in effect closed down that pathway, burying it under layers of regulation and insurmountable red tape. ‘If Council was genuinely focused on environmental outcomes, it would be investing in ways to help commercial operators remove camphor laurel, not inhibiting them,’ Mr Huf said. ‘Instead of putting resource into protecting these trees, Council should be investing in encouraging and incentivising commercial harvesting.’
‘Camphor laurel’s impacts extend well beyond farmland. The species readily invades remnant native bushland, where it forms dense stands that prevent native forest regeneration. The leaves and flowers also fall into creeks and waterways, degrading water quality and posing risks to aquatic life.
‘While camphor laurel is sometimes defended on the basis that it provides habitat for wildlife’, Mr Huf said this ignores the long-term consequences. ‘In the short term, animals may use these trees,’ he said. ‘But over time, camphor laurel displaces native species, reduces biodiversity and degrades the environment it claims to support.’ Mr Huf also criticised suggestions that landholders could simply apply for approval to remove camphor laurel under the protection rules. ‘Removing camphor laurel is already one of the most expensive weed control challenges landholders face,’ he said. ‘Adding permits and more red tape doesn’t help – it discourages eradication and increases the likelihood that infestations are abandoned altogether.’
‘Dr Phillips made a similar point in 2017, saying landholders faced a constant battle and that “you’ve got to be constantly vigilant.”’
Mr Huf added, ‘Tweed Shire Council appears to have a plan to retain camphor laurel, but no active plan at all to remove it,” he said. “That directly contradicts DPI advice and undermines the environmental values Council claims to stand for.’
For more information and to make a submission, visit Development Control Plan draft improvements | Your Say Tweed
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