The recent bumper growing season for gardeners and farmers has brought increased workloads for local weeding volunteers.
An explosion in noxious weeds has become an even greater problem, threatening more than 70% of native species and costing New South Wales an estimated $1.8 million annually.
Fourteen Bitou Buster volunteers launched their campaign for the 2025 bush regeneration season on Saturday 22 March with work along The Anchorage, adjacent to the river at Winda Woppa, Hawks Nest.
This area includes various native habitats, from woodland gums and shrubs to riverine marsh and mangroves. These native plants help stabilize the river edges and act as natural filters, removing toxins and excess nutrients before reaching the river.
Saturday’s efforts focused on removing invasive weeds, mother of millions, asparagus fern, flowering Easter cassia, and large bitou bushes allowing the native species to survive and grow. The dedication and hard work of these volunteers help to preserve the health of local ecosystems.
Despite filling 30 sacks with weeds, the volunteers still faced significant challenges, with a particularly dense unbroken infestation of asparagus fern yet to be brought under control. Asparagus fern is notorious for smothering other species and preventing their germination, further complicating the task of restoration.
Bitou Busters co-coordinator Adrienne Ingram said that
the area the asparagus fern covered was so large that it would have to be tackled by the volunteers in small sections over an extended time with the assistance of MidCoast Council personnel and resources. The first task which begun on Saturday was to remove small asparagus plants from the edge and clear around emergent native species trying to compete with the rampaging weed.
This task is challenging, but the volunteers gained a sense of accomplishment after their morning's physical work and social interaction.
The Bitou Busters meet on the fourth Saturday of each month, with further details on the noticeboard outside the Hawks Nest newsagency and on the myallkoala.org website. New members are very welcome!
An explosion in noxious weeds has become an even greater problem, threatening more than 70% of native species and costing New South Wales an estimated $1.8 million annually.
Fourteen Bitou Buster volunteers launched their campaign for the 2025 bush regeneration season on Saturday 22 March with work along The Anchorage, adjacent to the river at Winda Woppa, Hawks Nest.
This area includes various native habitats, from woodland gums and shrubs to riverine marsh and mangroves. These native plants help stabilize the river edges and act as natural filters, removing toxins and excess nutrients before reaching the river.
Saturday’s efforts focused on removing invasive weeds, mother of millions, asparagus fern, flowering Easter cassia, and large bitou bushes allowing the native species to survive and grow. The dedication and hard work of these volunteers help to preserve the health of local ecosystems.
Despite filling 30 sacks with weeds, the volunteers still faced significant challenges, with a particularly dense unbroken infestation of asparagus fern yet to be brought under control. Asparagus fern is notorious for smothering other species and preventing their germination, further complicating the task of restoration.
Bitou Busters co-coordinator Adrienne Ingram said that
the area the asparagus fern covered was so large that it would have to be tackled by the volunteers in small sections over an extended time with the assistance of MidCoast Council personnel and resources. The first task which begun on Saturday was to remove small asparagus plants from the edge and clear around emergent native species trying to compete with the rampaging weed.
This task is challenging, but the volunteers gained a sense of accomplishment after their morning's physical work and social interaction.
The Bitou Busters meet on the fourth Saturday of each month, with further details on the noticeboard outside the Hawks Nest newsagency and on the myallkoala.org website. New members are very welcome!
Kit Streamer with a asparagus vine
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Adrienne, Nige, Benny, Trish, Ann, Kit, Jane, Richard, Sharon, Di, Beth and Colin
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