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Pelican Island Nature Reserve, which spans 40 hectares in the heart of Brisbane Water, has suffered a series of disappointing acts of vandalism which has led the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to investigate.

NPWS Central Coast Area Manager Steve Atkins said the illegal activities, including camping, lighting fires, littering, damage to park signs and destruction of native vegetation, have raised concerns about the conservation of this vital natural habitat.

Atkins highlighted that Pelican Island Nature Reserve protects crucial estuarine vegetation, such as the swamp oak and the Saltmarsh Endangered Ecological Community and added "this island offers sanctuary to native animals and birds, including white-bellied sea eagles, which are a threatened species in New South Wales.

"We've faced repeated challenges at Pelican Island, with the park sign needing to be replaced 3 times since January 2023, due to repeated removals by vandals.

"A recent inspection revealed that over 70 casuarina trees have been cut down, and the ground is littered with broken glass bottles, rubbish and remnants of fires.”

The nature reserve is only accessible by boat. NPWS will be installing surveillance cameras on the island and increasing patrols of the area.

Image. NPWS Ranger and Field Supervisor inspect the damage in Pelican Island Nature Reserve. Credit: NPWS

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