Council decided to trial the drone application of spraying in response to public concern with helicopter application, and worked closely with the drone operators to coordinate the spraying along the region's coastline. The method also eliminates the need for abseilers to spray around cliff faces and other hard to reach places.

In assessing the results of the drone application, council determined there is a need for a secondary application to ensure the bitou bush is effectively treated.

"Using drones is a completely different way of targeting the plant, so this trial has given us an opportunity to refine the use of the drone for future programs," Terry Inkson, MidCoast Council's strategic weeds biosecurity officer said.

Aerial spraying along the coastline, undertaken in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife program, began on June 1 and continued through July.

"As always we're conscious of the community's concerns around the use of herbicides but we'd like to again reassure everyone that our contractors only use approved treatment methods," Terry said.

The drones will again specifically target bitou bush in identified sections of the coastal strip from Crowdy Head, south to Hawks Nest.

Sections of beaches, carparks and roads will be closed in the short term while the aerial spraying is underway.

"There will be short closures of areas as the aircraft and individuals undertake the work, with ground staff on site during these closures, as well as signage in place to notify the community," Terry said.

"Our long-term continual management of re-emerging bitou, will create a healthier dune system and this is particularly important in erosion hot spots."

The program will be carried out following recommendations contained in the 'Best Practice Guidelines for Aerial Spraying of Bitou Bush in New South Wales' published by the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Bitou bush invades native coastal heathlands and dunes. It grows quickly and forms dense hummocks between which coastal breeze is channelled promoting erosion.

Bitou also replaces native plants both by direct completion and by altering the soil chemistry, further weakening the structural integrity of our dunes and destroying the complex habitat of native mammals and birds.

Infestations can smother sand dune, headland and coastal vegetation communities and many threatened species and plant communities have been affected.

"These ongoing treatments are necessary to control re-emerging juvenile plants and to bring previously unmanaged areas into the program."

For more information, including frequently asked questions, head to Council's website www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/bitoubush or call MidCoast Council on 7955 7777.

The second stage of the drone spraying will begin on Monday, September 7 and continue for about one month, weather permitting.

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