THE Department of Sustainability and Environment has approved a new foreshore management plan for Loch Sport.
The news comes after Wellington Shire Council decided to address with DSE issues with maintaining the foreshore.
The council vote was in response to a petition signed by 142 Loch Sport residents, visitors and property owners, requesting council and DSE remove dead and fallen trees along the foreshore between Clarke St and National Park Rd and for the removal of all other dead or dried undergrowth seen as a potential fire fuel and risk for pedestrians.
A spokesperson for the DSE said the department had been speaking with the council and the committee of management about what could be done to address concerns while balancing the needs of the fragile ecosystem in an area prone to coastal erosion.
“A new foreshore management plan has just been approved to address vegetation management and erosion control,” the spokesperson said.
“DSE continues to assist the committee of management with a number of clean-ups of dead and dumped vegetation and does other bushfire risk prevention works like planned burning and fuel break clearing in suitable locations.”
Most of the foreshore area in question is the responsibility of DSE, with a community-based volunteer committee of management responsible for its management.
Council manages some parts of the foreshore.
Council and DSE have undertaken some path improvement works in recent years along sections of the reserve in an effort to address path quality, a task made difficult by difficult terrain and dense vegetation.
