Mystery behind cleared land is answered by the City

The City of Albany has clarified the reasons for clearing a section of land in Middleton Beach.

Locals were puzzled by the clearing, with one concerned resident going to the office of the Albany Advertiser in search of answers.

City reserve manager Jacqui Freeman said the land at the bottom of Adelaide Crescent had been cleared to manage a weed which was not native to WA.

“The cleared area is the result of some weed control by the City’s reserves team as part of its Environmental Weed Management Plan,” she said.

“The Mounts is a priority reserve and the team has been removing Acacia paradoxa, otherwise known as Kangaroo Thorn.

“This is a very prickly acacia that is native to the Eastern States.

“The roots have been sprayed and left in situ to keep the bank stabilised before being revegetated.”

The spiny shrub or small tree forms densely in areas of high rainfall.