Ballina Information Blog

Plans to limit human activity of beaches south of Ballina have spearked a series of meetings opposing the proposals suggested by the Department of Lands.

Recommendations include restrictions on dog exercise areas, the use of four-wheel drive vehicles and horse riding, and ‘formalising’ beach access areas. A full list of recommendations can be viewed by clicking on the Department of Lands link above.

The moves have been sparked by declining numbers of the bird species, the pied oystercatcher.

Meetings held in Ballina and Evans Head have seen heated opposition to any restrictions, and claims that foxes, rather than humans, are the biggest threat to the pied oystercatcher. They also claim that commercial pipi (mollusc) gatherers have decimated the bird’s prime food source.

However, the department acknowledges the threat of foxes, dogs, feral cats and feral pigs, and has suggested liaising with landowners to improve pest animal control. It also recommends controls on pipi harvesting.

The Australian Museum says the pied oystercatcher is found in coastal areas throughout the Australian continent. Oystercatchers feed on bivalve molluscs. Worms, crustaceans and insects are also eaten.

“Pied Oystercatchers have probably declined throughout much of their range and the current population may be as low as 10,000. Closely related forms are found in almost every continent in the world,” the museum said.

• Do you agree with measures to protect the pied oystercatcher population, or do you reject the idea of beach restrictions? We’d love to hear your comments.

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 11th, 2006 at 3:35 pm and is filed under Travel, Villages, Ballina, News, Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.