News - Bega Merimbula Eden Bermagui Tathra Pambula

Teams from Local Aboriginal Land Councils have been tackling some of the major infestations of polygala or milkwort at beaches along the Sapphire Coast.

Polygala myrtifolia, from South Africa, was a great favourite in old coastal gardens and still lurks in a good many of them.  It flowers much of the year and is very hardy, as well as very prolific.

According to local botanist, Stuart Cameron, who is co-ordinating the project,  it now infests coastal cliffs, sand dunes, dry forest and wetlands on the edges of settlements all along the Far South Coast.

“You can see massive infestations along Merimbula boardwalk and on some of Eden’s coastal cliffs,” he said.  

“As part of the Federally-funded Coastal Weed Project the Aboriginal teams have been pulling out some of the major infestations.

“But there is still plenty of work to do and much scope for volunteer involvement.

“Polygala is usually easy to uproot and repeated treatments over 18 months or so reduce infestations dramatically.

“Anyone interested in helping should phone Bea Valley Shire Council’s weed team on 6499 2222.

“And if you have polygala growing in your garden please consider removing it and replacing it with something non-invasive.

“But do dispose of the waste safely so it cannot found a new population elsewhere,” Mr Cameron said.