Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park turns 21 and you get the presents

Thursday, 5 November 2009

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and Landcare will be holding a weed swap stall during the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park's 21st Birthday celebrations on Saturday 14th of November.

Residents can bring along woody weeds from their garden and swap it for a free native plant alternative.

Council's Natural Resources Officer, Thor Aaso, said, "Our bushland reserves are under constant pressure from weed invasion of which most come from non-native plantings from our gardens.

"These weeds are often called 'Garden Escapees'. Seedlings end up in our bushland reserves from wind, water or brought in by birds and animals.  The reserves are often the last remaining habitat for threatened species and often link other patches of bush together to form habitat corridors," Mr Aaso said.

"Kooloonbung Creek is one such habitat corridor, providing a link from the Hastings River to Lake Innes Nature Reserve. Weed invasion is also costing our community hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to keep under control.

"I'd like to see people in our community take a good look in their garden and see what woody weeds they would like to replace with a free native plant alternative," Mr Aaso said.

"Council is encouraging people to bring plants (including the roots) in a plastic bag or if they are large cut them up. A trailer will be on site to dispose of any plants.

"Whilst people will be able to swap any non-native woody plants Council will be targeting Ochna, Umbrella Trees, Senna and Red-Fruiting Murraya which are all currently in fruit and are easy to identify," Mr Aaso concluded.