A MAJOR dispute is brewing over the poisoning of a grassed entry area to the boardwalk at the Alfred Cove nature reserve.

The brouhaha between environmental community groups, which has drawn in both Melville council and the WA parks and wildlife department, centres on the Burke Drive entrance to the park.

According to Friends of Attadale Parks and Amenities Area spokesman Gary Crawford, volunteer group Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group instigated the push to poison the grass, predominantly couch and buffalo, so sedges and natives could be planted.

• Gary Crawford says it’s wrong to allow spraying near a popular bench in Alfred Cove. Photo by Eddie Albrecht

He says the group received the blessing of the council to “restore” the area, while the department, after viewing the area, also gave tacit support to an “ongoing weed management program”.

However, Mr Crawford says the area in question is an important resting area for senior citizens, mums and joggers as it’s near the footpath and is the only area where they can sit in shade.

He’s appalled at what he says is unnecessary poisoning, when other areas of the park are in more urgent need of attention.

He urges a more co-operative approach between the area’s environmental groups.

The area in question is managed by the department.

DPaW staff were unable to respond to questions from the Herald as most were busy fighting fires around WA, while the Swan Estuary volunteers were formulating a reply as the Herald wen to print.

by EDDIE ALBRECHT