Work is underway at Short Point, Merimbula to restore native vegetation and construct a formal walking track.
The work is in line with the Draft Short Point Master Plan which aims to improve access for all people to the beach and headland areas, protect and expand areas of native vegetation and better locate and improve visitor facilities.
Recreation Assets Officer, John Turville said that restoring native coastal vegetation will involve the removal of woody and non-woody weeds, notably Coral Trees and invasive Kikuyu Grass, in an effort to free up existing native plants currently smothered by these weeds.
“This will create an opening for native trees, shrubs and grasses to re-establish, returning the headland to its more natural state,” Mr Turville said.
Council will also construct a 2.5m wide walking track from the existing car park area to the eastern most headland. This pathway will be constructed of gravel over the pre-existing access track in this area.
“Council is mindful of the Aboriginal heritage of the area and, with that in mind, officers from the Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council have surveyed the area and recovered artefacts prior to commencing construction,” Mr Turville said.
“To minimise any further impacts to heritage items, the pathway will be constructed without the need to undertake any excavation at the site.”
This work is being co-funded by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage under their Coastal Management Program.
Preliminary works are scheduled for completion prior to Christmas with further plantings and access works completed by Autumn 2017.
