Burleigh Head National Park’s weed problem: Gold Coast conservationist Matt Keys calls on the department to do more to manage the pest plants

THERE’S a pest that’s invaded Burleigh Heads National Park sparking calls for it to be ‘carpet bombed’. But there’s a stoush brewing between a local conservationist and the Environment Department.

BURLEIGH Head National Park should be “carpet bombed” for invasive weeds, says a local conservationist who claims the State Government is not doing enough to stop pest plants growing out of control.

Matt Keys, director of a local environmental management company Habitat, said the Environment Department should spend money on the park’s ecology rather than footpaths around the famous headland.

Burleigh Heads park is being overrun by noxious weeds. Visitors Jett Righetti, 17, and Kiana Schokman, 16, from Brisbane were shocked to find the majority of greenery were weeds. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“It needs radical surgery but the department is intent on pussy footing around,” Mr Keys said.

He said invasive species like asparagus weed and to a lesser extent ochna were slowly taking over the park’s undergrowth.

Last year the department spent $1 million on refurbishing the popular Oceanview track, but Mr Keys said the State Government needed to invest more on the ecology of the national park, which attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually.

He also took aim at the Oceanview track’s intermittent closures due to concerns about rock falls.

“They’ve been happening for millions of years. It’s public liability gone mad.”

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch did not respond to questions from the Bulletin, saying the issue was operational.

There are calls to clean up the noxious weeds at Burleigh Head National Park.

The department issued a statement saying more than $60,000 was spent targeting weeds including ground asparagus, climbing asparagus, Dutchman’s pipe and coral berry last financial year. The statement said weeds in the park were under control.

“That’s been the problem with the department’s approach, the area needs to be carpet bombed but the department seems to want to use tweezers,” Mr Keys said.

“Over the past 25 years I’ve witnessed a constant steady invasion of nasty weeds and, frankly, they’re winning the battle — we need to focus on aggressive weed removal in the park.

Burleigh Head National Park needs to be carpet bombed according to environmentalists. Photo: Kit Wise

“Everything green is not always good, and that’s the case with the Burleigh Head National Park.

“There is no higher ecological asset along the Gold Coast coastline than Jellurgal (Burleigh Headland).

“While (the department) is stuffing around writing up more management plans the weeds continue marching right across the park.”

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The department said it welcomed support from local volunteer group Friends of Burleigh Head National Park.

“(The department) already does much to manage weeds on the park,” the statement read.

“Weeds are not running rampant, but weed management is certainly a priority for QPWS at Burleigh.

“Managing weeds is a big challenge in small parks surrounded by urban areas, such as Burleigh Head National Park.

“Weed seeds are spread into the park by wind, birds and visitors. Weeds are also spread by people dumping garden cuttings in the park.

“Visitors can help fight weeds by checking their footwear for seeds before they enter the park.”