Woonona beach care groups don’t believe signs and shade cloths are the right approach to combating acts of tree vandalism along the dunes.
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Members said they did not condone the actions of vigilantes but believe the measures are “punitive” and would prefer Wollongong City Council to conduct an education campaign.
Councillors will vote at Monday’s council meeting whether to support the installation of a 1.8 metre by 1.2 metre tree vandalism sign and will investigate installing covert surveillance cameras to deter would-be vandals. If the vandalism continues barriers such as bunting, shade cloth, a fence and shipping containers could be installed.
There have been 22 incidents of poisoning, pruning and removal of seedlings, shrubs and trees within the dunes since 2014 with most recent acts occurring in July and October this year.
Council staff tried to deter vandals by distributing educational flyers, installing information and deterrence signs and had meetings with the community group members.
Woonona Beach Committee spokeswoman Julee Brienen said the committee members were “extremely disappointed” in the recent vegetation vandalism acts which had stalled the council’s remediation process.
Members support the installation of video surveillance but not the installation of signage, shade cloth and shipping containers.
“The signs serve to punish the immediate residents who are not the perpetrators of the vandalism,” she said.
“In the past, when these signs were installed, residents were vilified, abused, and had their properties damaged.
“The assumption, when a sign is installed, is that the vandalism has taken place to improve the views from these properties. The views from the properties are not affected by the low growing shrubs which have been damaged.”
Ms Brienen urged the council to install education signs and distribute information to the community about the importance of the beach remediation program. The committee would also like to see a viewing platform built at the lookout area which provides information about dune management.
Michael Barnett started the Beach Care Illawarra group and said the group did not support the signs being installed.
“We believe the policy and how the council plans to escalate the measures is penalising the local residents who are supportive of the revegetation,” he said. “Visitors come to area to see the beach and it is an asset that needs to be maintained.”
Woonona Surf Life Saving Club president Stacey Paddon has asked the councillors to hold off on giving the green light to the installation of signs and CCTV and launch another education campaign.
“We are supportive of the council’s recommendation but we would be more supportive of a community education campaign that partners up with community groups,” she said.
“I don’t believe the council has done that since the most recent acts of vandalism occurred.
“There have been some incidents of vandalism lately but most acts occurred a year ago.”
Ms Paddon said the surf club supported the dune management plan and was pleased that about 200 low growing plantings had established in the sand.
“The council should get back to talking with community groups and maintaining the beach,” she said.
“The low-lying shrubs have been established and now, as part of the plan, council said they would get rid of the larger trees.
“That’s why people are taking matters into their own hands, which is wrong. Council needs to follow through with its plan.”
Troy Johnson has been a Woonona resident for 51 years and a volunteer lifesaver for nearly 40 years. He does not believe the two acts of vandalism in recent times warrant the installation of the signs.
Ms Paddon said she was proud of what the council and community groups achieved in revitalising the beach.
“The vegetation used to go all the way down to the beach and we could barely do patrols or Nippers,” she said. “The water was full of rips too. But now the beach functions normally and it is safer for everyone.”
The president said she was proud of what the council and community groups achieved in revegetating the beach.
“The vegetation used to go all the way down to the beach and we could barely do patrols or Nippers,” she said. “The water was full of rips too. But now the beach functions normally and it is safer for everyone.”
