Waterhen gets weeding

By Emma Kelly

Members of the Waverton and Waterhen communities begin the long process of plant regeneration.

Under blue skies and a bright sun, Defence and Waverton community members came together to weed and undertake bush regeneration activities at ‘Waverton Green’, a one-hectare strip of bushland located at HMAS Waterhen.

The day was a great success with twelve volunteers turning up to hand-pull large infestations of Cobblers Peg, Madiera Vine, and Castor Oil Plant from the bushland.

Coordinated by Ms Raffaela Andreoli, environmental officer for CSI-SC Defence, volunteers planted twenty seedlings of Smooth Bark Apple and other native species into the strip of bushland to assist in its rehabilitation. A number of wattle seedlings were also found under the weeds.

According to Ms Andreoli, the day demonstrated how Defence and the community can work together to preserve the environment.

“Waverton Green represents a valuable healthy example of Angophora costata woodlands, which is becoming increasingly rare along Sydney Harbour due to urbanisation and diseases such as dieback,” she said.

The day generated a lot of interest from local residents with one passer-by returning with coffees for all!

Initially, Ms Vera Yee a committed local resident of Waverton, approached Defence staff members in organising a day for bush regeneration works.

CSI-SC Defence then assisted by organising security and insurance for the day.

“Defence has a long history of working with the community to manage the Waverton Green bushland.” said Ms Andreoli.

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