Bangalow Landcare have responded to accusations in a letter by Suzy Leigh (25 March) that they have killed ‘old growth’ camphors and are responsible for the creek being filled ‘with vast quantities of soil’ as they die and fall in and that this leads to the flooding of Deacon Street.
‘Deacon Street in Bangalow has always flooded as highlighted in photos dating back to 1913. This is largely due to the fact that Byron Creek curves around the back of Heritage House and when large volumes of water enter Byron Creek it simply cuts across from behind the Op Shop and through Deacon Street before the water rejoins the creek near the Men’s Shed,’ Noelene Plummer, President of Bangalow Land and Rivercare (BLRC) told The Echo.
Ms Plummer made clear that BLRC are not responsible for the poisoning of the camphors in Piccabeen Park and that, in fact camphor laurel trees do not protect and conserve creek banks.
‘In fact it’s the exact opposite,’ she said.
‘Camphors have a shallow root system growing sideways when the roots hit the water. This destabilises the stream bank due to the undercutting process of the creek. Over time, they fall into the creek taking out large portions of the creek bank. In addition, they create heavy shade which suppresses regeneration of native seedlings resulting in very little mid- or under- storey to protect the bare soil from heavy rain.
‘Native indigenous riparian trees on the other hand send their roots down under the water and stabilise the banks. Also, they create zones which assist in preventing nutrient and fertiliser run off into the creek enabling it to support a growing community of platypus, turtles, yabbies and fish,’ she said.
‘A key reason Bangalow looks so green and lush is because of the regeneration work starting 28 years ago with the formation of Bangalow Land and Rivercare. This was in response to a fish kill in Byron Creek at Bangalow. The creek was completely covered in aquatic weeds of cabomba and salvinia. We spent many working bees with grappling hooks cleaning out the weeds. Since then we have planted the steep banks with native grasses and trees.’
Ms Plummer has invited anyone with questions to please come and meet BLRC and that they work every Saturday from 8.30am with people welcome to come and join them, see social media.
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