Can’t see the balance for the (unmanaged) vegetation

THE publication of the Corinella Foreshore Landscape Plan by DEECA and the Corinella Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management, just before Christmas, provides a welcome breath of fresh air in the vexed debate over coastal views versus foreshore vegetation.

Because, no matter where you sit on the political spectrum, from radical greenie to rabid developer, and everywhere in between, there’s got to be a balance.

And especially in our coastal towns, where the Statement of Planning Policy designates the defining land use as ‘settlement’ and ‘residential’, the balance has to firmly consider social amenity and wildfire risk as much as it does maintenance and support of foreshore vegetation.

Because the reality is that there is no shortage of places to plant trees, to develop links and to support remnant bush locations, which we are seeing being threatened by invasive plants such as Sweet Pittosporum and weeds.

But you don’t need to insist on a jungle in the middle of your town.

The maintenance and support of foreshore vegetation within the town boundary is always going to involve a compromise.

Certainly, important vegetation such as mangroves, which perform a vital interface role between the ocean and land, along with their companion plants, and those plants which hold back erosion and provide habitat need to be protected.

But that doesn’t give authorities carte blanch for a “don’t touch it” policy and the planting of anything they like on the foreshore.

In the Corinella Foreshore Landscape Plan, DEECA and the local management committee are trying to strike a balance between the demand for coastal views and cleaning up the foreshore mess against those who say leave it the way it is.

There seems to be a “stick it to the rich” attitude by those who want to block out coastal views with vegetation, when its not just those who’ve paid a premium to enjoy coastal views who benefit.

There’s quite a good system of coastal paths up and down the foreshore at Corinella, for example, enjoyed by other homeowners in the town, their dogs and visitors. And the opportunity to get a view over the water, observing coastal birds, boats and the like, between the trees is welcomed and valued.

And that’s what this new plan is hoping to achieve – a balance.

It’s a pity the authorities, of which there are many when it comes to foreshore management, aren’t trying to achieve a similar balance in other coastal towns, while being prepared to consult with adjoining neighbours and the community about the most appropriate species to be planted, between houses and the foreshore.

Inverloch, in particular, is a town where there needs to be more balance between vegetation and community amenity.