June 23, 2025

Weed removal and replanting to be undertaken at Fingal Bay

THE Friends of Tomaree National Park have been working since March to protect the natural beauty of the National Park around Fingal Bay.

The group is now inviting local residents to a community event on Saturday 21 June from 8:30am, to continue removing invasive weeds and replanting native species.

A follow up session will be held on Friday 27 June.

“Our first objective is to protect the native vegetation, conserve Fingal’s natural beauty, and ensure suitable habitat for native wildlife thrives,” team leader David Moore.

Native vegetation on the Tomaree Coastal Walk south of Barry Park faces threats primarily from bitou bush, lantana and ground asparagus.

“Bitou bush and lantana smother the native vegetation, while ground asparagus forms dense mats, so much of our work is focussed on removing these weeds from around native bush so it then flourishes,” David said.

While the Friends of Tomaree National Park have had recent success against invasive weeds at Zenith Beach and Fishermans and Kingsley headlands, coordinator Sue Olsson said much work remains to be done.

“We are excited that our Fingal friends have already substantially cleared bitou bush from an informal lookout and rocky outcrop which is now looking superb, and the ground asparagus that dominated nearby sections,” Sue said.

“However, you do not need to walk far to see that while our Fingal friends have made great headway, there is still much to be done.

“Every little bit we can do helps, and if nothing is done we ultimately risk losing much of our wonderful bush and then its wildlife.”

The working bee will last for several hours, and is followed by a morning tea.

Volunteer registration is essential, and includes insurance.

For further information and the link to register, go to www.ecops.au/fotnp-fingal-june.

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