The Clarence Rainforest Rescue Group has been planting trees at Corcoran Park since 1995. Many of the trees are now flowering and seeding and being used by birds. We’ve been using locally sourced sub-tropical lowland rainforest species to try and show something of the original Clarence River floodplain vegetation. Grafton Council manages Corcoran Park. They were originally happy about our project. The council owns land next to the park, and our informally agreed plan was to eventually shift the fence back about 50 metres to expand the rainforest area into that land. If only we had acted earlier. We recently discovered that the council has changed its mind. The Sea Scouts and Yacht Club don’t like the trees blocking their view of the river, and have successfully lobbied the council to stop future tree-planting. When will people learn that trees aren’t just things that block views? A healthy river has trees growing near it. A natural river view includes vegetation. If you care about this small local issue, take a look at the planting site. Corcoran Park is at the end of Villiers Street. The site is at the northern end of the park, west of the road. If you think it would be good to have more trees there, you could write to Grafton Council and express your support for the rainforest rescue group’s project and recommend an expanded planting area. Maybe you’d like to get involved in the group. Leave a message at the CEC if you’re interested.