BUSHLAND at Sunshine Reserve in Mt Martha has been marred by an act of vandalism, leaving conservationists devastated.
Several trees and native shrubs including old swamp paperbarks were hacked with axes, pushed over, and destroyed in what is being described as a deliberate and senseless attack on one of the area’s most cherished natural spaces.
Volunteers of the Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group Inc discovered the damage on 21 September.
“A mature stand of melaleuca swamp paperbark and sweet bursaria were recklessly pushed over and axed and thrown in the creek,” said Pia Spreen, Mornington project leader at Naturelinks Landscape Management.
“Swamp paperbark is a vegetation community, that is endangered, occurring within the creek line zone. We see many small birds – wrens, robins etc using this scrub.”
Spreen said the conservation group and community users were gutted, adding “this is not an isolated situation as there has also been vegetation destruction using chainsaws in the upper Sunshine Reserve”. “They used shovels and cleared significant vegetation along the creek line with our plantings intentionally pulled out.”
In that incident Mornington Peninsula Shire, who owns the land, had to foot the bill for remediation.
The latest vandalism has also been reported to the shire, with volunteers suspecting kids on mountain bikes to be the culprits. The shire has since erected a sign at the site saying, “Vegetation illegally removed” and “penalties apply for the cutting, lopping or removal of any vegetation in this area”.
The incident occurred not long before dozens of young native plants, as well as protective stakes and guards, were pulled and strewn across Ferrero Reserve within the Balcombe Estuary Reserve in Mt Martha on 30 September.
Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group has undertaken some new planting as they begin the long process of restoring its former state. “We need the community to understand the unique values these bushland reserve’s hold in the landscape,” Spreen said.
“We want kids to connect with the bushland and understand that every action has an effect. These reserves have so many pressures and need support not destruction. Our local wildlife relies on these gullies and creek lines for habitat and safe passage. Tred lightly and observe nature.” She said working bees were always available for people to attend and contribute to the precious bio links.
The destruction was brought to the public’s attention through a post on the Sunshine Reserve Mount Martha Facebook page. “We’re devastated to report that trees and shrubs in Sunshine Reserve have been deliberately vandalised, hacked with axes, pushed over, and destroyed,” the post said. “Some of the damage includes very old swamp paperbarks, vital carbon sinks that play a critical role in storing carbon and supporting biodiversity.”
The post encouraged people to report suspicious activity to the Mornington Peninsula Shire or the Police Assistance Line (131 444). “Every tree matters. Every shrub matters. Every carbon sink matters. Together, we can keep Sunshine Reserve thriving,” it said.
A shire spokesperson said, “It’s disappointing to see our natural environment damaged. We work with a dedicated team of volunteers to look after Sunshine Reserve and this vandalism is deeply upsetting for them. This is an ongoing issue and there have been several attempts to revegetate the site but it continues to be destroyed”.
“We’ve recently done a letterbox drop to neighbouring properties to help raise awareness and hopefully stop the destruction. In the meantime, we will continue to work with the community and our volunteers to restore this important natural habitat”.
First published in the Mornington News – 21 October 2025
