In just three weeks a small group of volunteers has grown into a 1000-strong lobby group keen to encourage MidCoast Council to undertake a number of initiatives around the Tuncurry Rock Pool precinct.
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Friends of Tuncurry is calling on council to take a more proactive stance on aging infrastructure around the popular leisure area.
The group initially began two years ago frustrated with council's perceived reluctance to remove a shade-cloth covered cyclone fence and remove dead plants and trees, and tidy up a park area alongside Rockpool Road, Tuncurry.
Council erected the 'punishment' fence nearly a decade ago after about 10 native trees were poisoned, Friends of Tuncurry spokesperson, Leanne Jeffries said.
"They had no proof of who did it; but they are still punishing the community," she said.
Much of the area is done by volunteers, and now they are expecting us to maintain the garden.
- Leanne Jeffries
During the past three years a handful of volunteers, with assistance from Dunecare and the Men's Shed, have weeded, mulched and planted a mixture of native shrubs and fruit trees in the three existing gardens, removed some dead trees, repainted and repaired existing picnic tables, while council removed an aging barbecue.
The group also purchased - at its own expense - a small dinghy which they plan to plant with shrubs and other greenery.
Initially, gardens were hand watered, but in recent months council has supplied a long hose to the group.
"But, they will not take the fence down," Ms Jeffries said.
Ms Jeffries said the fence would not be dismantled until newly planted trees become more established.
"But, there are 16 established trees there already; this is a ridiculous argument."
She believed many of council parks and gardens were tended by volunteers.
"Much of the area is done by volunteers, and now they are expecting us to maintain the garden."
MidCoast Council community spaces recreation and trades manager, Dan Aldridge confirmed the fence would not be removed any time in the near future.
"Not until vegetation becomes established just like it used to be," Mr Aldridge said.
Since the original tuckeroo trees were killed more than 10 years ago, council has been forced to re-plant trees on three separate occasions as people continue their illegal poisoning spree.
RELATED: Major work to Tuncurry Rock Pool
"Once the (new) trees get established they are poisoned again."
But, he did have some good news for volunteers, promising to remove existing tree stumps within the next handful of months.
He said it was just a matter of packaging together jobs in both Forster and Tuncurry for the tree contractors.
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Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
