RESTORE A HISTORY OF LAND DEGRADATION

In 1823 Willliam Gellibrand was granted 2000 acres stretching from the South Arm Neck to the end of the pensinsula including Arm End. Land was granted to those who could fence off land, for Gellibrand laying claim to the entire South Arm peninsula was easily accomplished by fencing across the South Arm neck. From the early 1820’s till the late 1980’s Arm End was grazed and farmed, depleting it of native vegetation. The Reserve has recovered a little with some remnant vegetation coming back on the fringes. Between 2010 to 2013 a small area above Mitchell’s Beach was replanted by the local Coastcare group with the community’s assistance including South Arm Primary and the Understorey Network.

REMNANT VEGETATION
MITCHELLS BEACH

WEED MANAGEMENT BY
OPOSSUM BAY AND SOUTH ARM COASTCARE

Currently the reserve is under threat from weeds, the biggest threat is African Boxthorn. Coastcare recently completed primary control of boneseed populations. The RITE project envision’s complete restoration and rehabilitation of Arm End. The Reserve is currently facing environmental destruction by African Boxthorn. Coastcare has removed some patches of Boxthorn above Shelley Beach however this weed continues to be ignored by the current leaseholder. Other Weeds of National Significance include gorse and serrated tussock.