A joint project between MidCoast Council and National Parks and Wildlife Service, council has assured the program will be carried out following recommendations contained in the Best Practice Guidelines for Aerial Spraying of Bitou Bush in New South Wales published by the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Council made a decision to trial the drone program following widespread public concern.

The method also eliminated the need for abseilers to spray around cliff faces and other hard to reach places.

In assessing the results of the drone application, it has been determined there is a need for a secondary application to ensure the bitou bush is effectively treated, MidCoast Council strategic weeds biosecurity officer, Terry Inkson said.

"Using drones is a completely different way of targeting the plant, so this trial has given us an opportunity to refine the use of the drone for future programs," Mr Inkson said.

Aerial spraying along the coastline began on June 1 and continued through July.

"As always we're conscious of the community's concerns around the use of herbicides but we'd like to again reassure everyone that our contractors only use approved treatment methods."

The drones will specifically target bitou bush in identified sections of the coastal strip from Crowdy Head, south to Hawks Nest.

Sections of beaches, car parks and roads will be subject to short term temporary closures while the aerial spraying is being carried out.

"There will be short closures of areas as the aircraft and individuals undertake the work, with ground staff on site during these closures, as well as signage in place to notify the community," Mr Inkson said.

"Our long-term continual management of re-emerging bitou will create a healthier dune system and this is particularly important in erosion hot spots."

Bitou bush invades native coastal heathlands and dunes.

It grows quickly and forms dense hummocks between which coastal breeze is channelled promoting erosion.

Bitou also replaces native plants both by direct completion and by altering the soil chemistry, further weakening the structural integrity of our dunes and destroying the complex habitat of native mammals and birds.

Infestations can smother sand dune, headland and coastal vegetation communities and many threatened species and plant communities have been affected.

"These ongoing treatments are necessary to control re-emerging juvenile plants and to bring previously unmanaged areas into the program."

For more information, including frequently asked questions, head to the MidCoast Council bitou bush eradication program webpage or call 7955 7777.

The second stage of the drone spraying will begin next Monday, September 7 and continue for about one month (weather permitting).

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