CONCERNED Penola resident Dean Galpin is disheartened with the lack of attention to stopping the spread of coastal wattle in the district after continued efforts to have the issue addressed.
“I am highly disturbed at the dangerous fire hazard the coastal wattles attract as they are a quick growing scrub,” Mr Galpin said.
Mr Galpin said the spread of the wattle had progressed over the past 15 to 20 years, moving inland along the district’s roads.
In addition to the bushfire concerns, Mr Galpin said wildlife in the area was deteriorating due to the wattle growing beyond its native land and now intruding on bushland habitats, heathlands and pine forests.
The long-time local resident has highlighted concerns about the wattle for some time and has resorted to removing the unwanted weed himself.
“The clearance of the wattles is too large to complete on my own,” Mr Galpin said.
Wattle Range Council director of engineering Peter Halton agreed the coastal wattle was a large problem, however a lack of funding was a significant contributor to lack of success in clearing the weed.
“We purchased a Reachmower 12 months ago, which assists with containing and managing their ever-present growth,” Mr Halton said.
“However, we would need around four of these to efficiently tackle the problem.”
Mr Halton said the council was always trying to reduce safety issues and focused on clearing strategic fire breaks.
“Not all roads are fire breaks, but we have to look at it as a broad issue,” Mr Halton said.
“We would love to see more funding to succeed in their destruction.”
However, Mr Galpin believes the issue is going largely unnoticed as the wattle continues to spread.
“It is an out of sight therefore out of mind issue,” he said.
Mr Galpin said money was spent on re-vegetation, but should also target what we already have.
