"Mature trees such as Banksias and Tuckeroos have been cut down over a large area.  Systemic drilling and poisoning of mature trees has also been undertaken in the area," MidCoast Council's Natural Assets Officer (Great Lakes) Drew Morris said.

Related: Councillors fed up with illegal clearing on Bennetts Head...click here

Historically, large tracts of coastal land along Australia's east coast would have been covered by littoral rainforest.  However, over the years rainforest has been initially cleared for activities such as farming, and more recently for residential development.

As such, only thin strips of this vegetation community remain on the east coast of Australia. For this reason littoral rainforest is listed as an endangered ecological community on both the NSW and Commonwealth threatened biodiversity legislation.

The reserve where the attack occurred also has populations of the threatened species Cynanchum elegans, not to mention the other native birds and animals that depend on this habitat.

"Due to its protected status, this incident has been reported to the respective agencies who administer this legislation, for further investigation" said Drew Morris.

Council staff discovered the vandalism initially on April 28, however it appears that activities such as the poisoning in particular have occurred for an extended time prior to this.  Upon returning to the site on May 2 staff were dismayed to find that further lopping of branches had occurred since the initial visit.

As well as the initial damage to the plants, the destruction of the rainforest canopy will let light into the understory which will promote weed growth, and allow salt-laden air to intrude and impact the undergrowth and regrowth in the area.

"Littoral rainforest acts as a protector for the vegetation or the infrastructure which resides behind it.  The vegetation on the ocean side grows in such a manner to deflect salt laden winds up and over it.  In turn, this protects the infrastructure or other vegetation behind it from these corrosive winds,” Mr Morris said

"However, once that protective canopy is disturbed, for example through clearing, this salt air will damage the existing undergrowth, prevent regrowth and corrode buildings and other infrastructure that were previously protected by the rainforest".

To manage these impacts, wind-fencing is being erected around the vegetation to help it regenerate as well as restrict access to the area.  Weed control and replanting of native species will also be undertaken in time. 

This attack is unfortunate for many reasons and in particular as the area has benefited in recent years from ongoing investment by Council and the community.  Currently the area is benefitting from a six-year Federal Government grant to remove threatening weeds.