Tree Vandalism and Blocking the Illegal Views

Tuesday's (21 Sept 2010) meeting sees a notice of motion go before Council that attempts to put screening in where tree vandalism takes place. This motion is mostly targeted at the foreshore areas that cop a hiding from view seekers, who are almost impossible to catch red handed- which is what needs to happen if they are to be fined. These illegal view choppers get the so called bonus of improved views without ever having to pay the price.

Places like Byron Bay have been using screens to firstly impede the view and then to provide some sort of shelter for regrowing native vegetation.

On many of the Shoalhaven foreshore's there has been volunteer restoration activity to make sure that unsightly weeds don't take over where native vegetation should be. The native vegetation does a number of services in return. It helps to stabilise the dune and in storm situations acts as a barrier by slowing down sea surges. The NSW coastal management manual  lists vegetation as one of the tools to help reduce the loss of sand from dunes, it also list vegetation as the first line of defence when it comes to sea level rise.
The coastal vegetation also provides a lovely natural ambiance to the beach where beach goers aren't subjected to looking at coastal development. And of course the vegetation provides habitat for many living creatures and the contribution they make to life's great web.

I expect that the Council wont have the courage to support the motion, as the recent push has been to remove so called 'inappropriate' plantings from the foreshore that block views.

What some councillors don't seem to get is the fact that you can not buy a view and that the reserves are the commons of the people and not all people want to have to look at housing on the beach front-in fact that is why so many holiday makers make the journey to places like Jervis Bay and Narrawallee so that they can enjoy feeling like they are in a natural environment.

One cheeky journalist dared to suggest that a holiday maker would feel ripped off if they came down and rode on a beach side cycle way and couldn't see the sea- I don't think so- first of all they would be so happy to be out of the city that they would feel exhilarated just being able to ride and then might stay another day just to walk on some of the magnificent beaches the region has to offer.

Anyway back to tree vandals for views-to date the message has not been clear or strong enough- Don't Vandalise the very things that are helping to protect your property- and if we cant catch you we will inconvenience you. Regrettably some innocent neighbours will be caught up in the shadow of a sign but they can pressure the wrong doers into leaving the bush alone to do its thing- maybe even mature and provide a lasting and beautiful frame to a more tantalising view.

Image Courtesy of the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner