Dune Rehabilitation at Mother’s Beach

Published on 30 May 2023

Works to improve the health and integrity of the dune system at Mother’s Beach in Apollo Bay will commence next week, with the removal of invasive Coast Tea Tree to reinstate Indigenous species.

Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority Acting Director of Environment and Emergency Management Leia Howes explained that this conservation effort was important for Apollo Bay. 

“We are working to increase habitat and biodiversity in the dune system by removing the Coast Tea Tree alongside revegetation, weed control and natural regeneration work to the area,” said Ms Howes. 

Coast Tea Tree (Leptospermum laevigatum) is a fast-growing environmental weed that doesn't naturally belong in the bioregion for the Otway Ranges. 
 
If left unmanaged it can create dense monocultures that outcompete our indigenous flora. As a result, Coast Tea Tree significantly reduces the biodiversity and habitat value that is critical for native small mammals. 

The removal of vegetation at Mother’s Beach will not compromise the structural integrity of the dune. 

The removal of Coast Tea Tree is part of our broader conservation efforts to reinstate indigenous species to the dune systems along our coastline. The reintroduction of species such as Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii), Knobby Club Rush (Ficinia nodosa) and Hairy Spinifex (Spinifex sericeus) to our foredune and incipient dune systems will improve dune health and integrity.

It also helps to create low lying incipient dunes which dissipate the energy of the ocean as it moves towards the hightide mark. In contrast, Coast Tea Tree and other invasive species such as marram grass create steep foredunes which changes how the dune system responds to wave driven erosion events. 

“Coastal erosion is one of, if not the biggest challenge we face in managing the Great Ocean Road coastal environment, and the challenge is only getting greater in the face of climate change,” stated Ms Howes. 

These coastal reserve works align with outcomes and specific objectives of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority's Coastal Vegetation Strategy. To find out more please visit Coastal Vegetation Strategy Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au)