The median strip along the popular drive between Bunbury and Busselton in Western Australia's south-west has become a scenic attraction after being planted with flowering everlastings as part of a revegetation project. But the agency behind the plantings, Main Roads WA, has criticised the risky behaviour of drivers stopping to gather handfuls of the blooms.
Regional director Dominic Boyle said the agency was concerned about the danger posed by motorists who pull over on the highway to collect the flowers. He urged drivers to leave the plants alone and not create unnecessary hazards on the road.
"We'd really discourage that behaviour," Mr Boyle said. "Not just because it's illegal to pick these flowers, but also they are putting themselves in danger."
Mr Boyle said the decision to use everlastings rather than shrubs to revegetate the median strip was unusual, but the flowers were chosen because they were hardy and would improve soil quality. He noted the agency had received positive feedback about the project, but reports of ardent flower pickers had alarmed them.
"There's a big safety concern. We also want to make sure that seed gets back into the soil," he said. "So we really encourage people just to keep themselves safe and to leave these flowers alone."
The City of Bunbury has also planted everlastings on its road reserves, and the flowers are proving popular. Deputy Mayor Cheryl Kozisek took a positive view of the attention, describing the interest as a compliment, though she stopped short of endorsing the picking.
"I think it's a real compliment that people are picking them," she said. "I wouldn't encourage it immensely, but everlastings are beautiful — enjoy them."
Illegal picking of wildflowers is not new to the region. Kelly Paterson of the South West Wildflower Society said people illicitly picking flowers was an ongoing issue, with some clearly aware they were doing the wrong thing.
"I've seen people sneakily picking flowers, and it's pretty clear that they know they are doing the wrong thing," she said. "It's a disappointing thing to see. Taking those flowers before they are able to set seed means that seed is not going into the seed bank to produce additional plants in the future."
Commercial flower seed supplier Jen Egerton-Warburton also criticised the behaviour, saying picking wildflowers on other people's land was not on.