Weeds take control in park battle

BURLEIGH Head National Park should be “carpet bombed” for invasive weeds, says a local conservationist who claims the State Government is not doing enough to stop pest plants growing out of control.

Matt Keys, director of a local environmental management company Habitat, said the Environment Department should spend money on the park’s ecology rather than footpaths around the famous headland.

“It needs radical surgery but the department is intent on pussy footing around,” Mr Keys said.

He said invasive species like asparagus weed and to a lesser extent ochna were slowly taking over the park’s undergrowth.

Last year the department spent $1 million on refurbishing the popular Oceanview track, but Mr Keys said the State Government needed to invest more on the ecology of the national park, which attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually.

He also took aim at the Oceanview track’s intermittent closures due to concerns about rock falls.

“They’ve been happening for millions of years. It’s public liability gone mad.”

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch did not respond to questions from the Bulletin, saying the issue was operational.

The department issued a statement saying more than $60,000 was spent targeting weeds including ground asparagus, climbing asparagus, Dutchman’s pipe and coral berry last financial year. The statement said weeds in the park were under control.

“That’s been the problem with the department’s approach, the area needs to be carpet bombed but the department seems to want to use tweezers,” Mr Keys said.

“Over the past 25 years I’ve witnessed a steady invasion of nasty weeds and, frankly, they’re winning the battle – we need to focus on aggressive weed removal in the park.

“Everything green is not always good, and that’s the case with the Burleigh Head National Park.

“There is no higher ecological asset along the Gold Coast coastline than Jellurgal (Burleigh Headland).

“While (the department) is stuffing around writing up more management plans the weeds continue marching right across the park.”

The department said it welcomed support from local volunteer group Friends of