For the sixth time in the past five years, foreshore plants at MacCarthy Street, Hay Point have been killed by what Mackay Regional Council has labelled as a “selfish act of vegetation vandalism”.
This time, 10 plants, ranging from previously replanted vegetation to mature she-oaks, have been killed, with the council saying there is clear evidence that granular herbicide was used. Vegetation vandalism has occurred at this site in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
This is the sixth occurrence and is an extremely significant act of tree and vegetation vandalism, so council said it will be bringing the full weight of its Vegetation Vandalism Policy to bear.
Mayor Greg Williamson said serial vandalism of this nature was extremely disappointing.
“Council’s environmental ranger has investigated the site and conducted soil testing near the old boat ramp in front of 25 MacCarthy Street,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Two soil samples taken at the site, in 2022 and 2020, both tested positive for the same type of herbicide,” he said.
Mayor Williamson said that it was reckless behaviour causing environmental damage.
“When the coastal plants are removed, the soil and sand start to disappear, so when you get a cyclone or a large tidal influence on that piece that has nothing to hold the sand together, we’re going to get serious problems, as we’ve seen at Lamberts and McEwen’s beaches,” he said.
“These are the issues we’re dealing with and it’s ratepayers who are having to foot the bill.”
In accordance with the policy, council will be rebadging the current 1.8m x 3.6m billboard sign with a new design that states ‘These trees have been deliberately damaged by a selfish act of vandalism’ and that sign will remain in place for five years.
“We will also be placing a second billboard at the site and, once soil tests come back safe from the herbicide, we will be replanting three plants for every one vandalised,” Mayor Williamson added.
Mayor Williamson said that there was not enough evidence available to prove the identity of the person responsible for this act of vegetation vandalism.
“This incident alone is costing rate payers almost $6500, which is why we’re saying to the community, please get on board with this, come and tell us who these perpetrators are so we can speak with them.
“It’s about protecting a beach environment that the community wants to use and love, yet someone is sacrificing this just to get a view.
“This is just not on.”
Mackay Regional Council will be reskinning the sign in the vandalised location in Hay Point and, once the soil is safe, three plants will be replanted for every one killed
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