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Cowes West foreshore restoration by Bass Coast Shire Council in response to Crown Land encroachment

Bass Coast Shire Council has undertaken further restoration works on the Cowes West foreshore, in response to Crown Land encroachment.

By news@gippsland - 5th August 2022 - Back to News

This revegetation is part of council's Encroachment Program, which focuses on rehabilitating public land sites. In many of these cases, the original coastal vegetation was cleared many decades ago and has since been maintained as grassed areas. The large site at Cowes West has now been transformed with the planting of almost 2000 indigenous plants. Once established, this vegetation will help to enhance biodiversity and return the landscape to what it once was.

Recent vegetation works on Cowes West foreshore

Restoring coastal vegetation

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said that council is committed to restoring coastal vegetation where encroachment into Crown Land has occurred. "Unfortunately, due to various reasons including illegal clearing activities, the quality and extent of our coastal vegetation has been significantly reduced."

"With only about 14 percent remaining. Coastline areas are often more prone to the effects of climate change and vegetation is vital in protecting these areas from storm fronts."

Vegetation supports a number of ecological services, including provision of habitat for native animals and increasing the resilience of landscapes in a changing climate.

Rehabilitate degraded sites

In response to ongoing encroachment activities and community feedback, in 2018 council adopted the Foreshore and Bushland Reserves Encroachment Policy, to provide long-term strategic direction to manage ongoing encroachment issues.

Council will continue to work closely with landholders to resolve encroachment issues and rehabilitate degraded sites. For more information about the Encroachment Program please visit 'Coast and bushland management' web page or contact council's Natural Resources Officer on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211 or email basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com