CREEPING BACKYARDS

We all enjoy Gippsland's magnificent lakes and coasts. Unfortunately our own backyard
behavior can seriously damage these natural wonders.

Early surveyors set aside foreshore reserves to protect our fragile coastline. Gradually, we
have increased pressure on these foreshore "buffer zones" by:

• Allowing our backyards to "creep" beyond the private property boundaries onto the
  foreshore reserves;
• Illegally clearing vegetation on foreshore reserves;
• Introducing environmental weeds into foreshore reserves.

It is tempting to enlarge our property boundaries. Unfortunately, by clearing, mowing and
dumping garden refuse on foreshore reserves, we are destroying the native vegetation that
is so precious. Foreshore Reserves are Crown Land and it is illegal to alienate Crown
Land, such action can result in prosecution of offenders.

Loss of native vegetation means: loss of wildlife, habitat and biological diversity, reduced
protection for fragile soils, likely erosion, reduced landscape quality and reduced protection
for vulnerable shorelines.

Landowners may wish to clear a fire-break on the foreshore reserve adjacent to their
property. Permission for such clearing is rarely given. Contact the local Coastal Reserve
Manager at the office of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Yarram,
telephone 5183 9100.

Please consider the importance of foreshore vegetation, and the environmental and
aesthetic damage that results from illegal clearing.

Illegal clearing undertaken to improve or create views and to create access tracks is an
offence and can result in the prosecution of offenders.

Offenders should be reported to the Sale Police, telephone 5144 2244.

Environmental weeds are often planted unwittingly on public land or are transported from
gardens by wind, water, birds and animals. Dumped garden refuse is also a source of
these weeds.

An environmental weed is a plant that can invade local bush land and can replace native
species. Common examples in coastal areas include Agapanthus, Bridal Creeper,
Bluebell Creeper, English Ivy, Cape Ivy, Kikuyu, Mirror Bush, Pampas Grass and Polygala.

More information is available from the "Coastal Weeds" identification sheet series, the
Department of Sustainability and Environment and also the booklet "Win the War Against
WEEDS" booklet. Our region's natural ecosystems need to be kept healthy and protected.

Your local office of the DSE has a wide range of resources available to the public
including:

• Plant lists of native plant species indigenous to your area (these plants provide food
  and shelter for our native birds and animals);
• Identification and information on various weeds in the "Win the War Against WEEDS"
  booklet and the "Coastal Weeds" identification sheet series;
• Information on local Coast Action groups and on Coast Action/Coast Care activities;
• Expert staff who can assist with advice on specialist issues.

Article prepared by the Loch Sport Foreshore Committee of Management based on Information extracted from the brochure "Creeping Backyards" a community education project, Department of Sustainability &
Environment, East Gippsland Shire Council and supported by Coast Action and Coastcare.

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