AN UPCOMING conference will tackle the pressing issue of weeds management in the Monaro.
Cooma will be hostg the NSW Weeds Conference on October 12 to 15.
Cooma-Monaro Shire Weed Management Officer, Warren Scofield said Serrated Tussock and African Lovegrass are a present threat to the future viability of the agricultural industry and for the entire South East Region.
"African Lovegrass pose's the biggest threat to the Monaro, not just the agricultural industry but also the unique ecological community and biodiversity of the natural temperate grasslands to the south of Cooma," Mr Scofield said.
"These grasslands are a distinctive part of the Monaro region and nationally recognised both for its environmental importance and agricultural output."
With both of these natural assets losing ground to the encroachment of noxious weeds, Mr Scofield said the concern is that Local Control Authority (LCA's) future funding will be directed away from wide spread weeds, which are seen locally as a major issue with the impact directly affecting people who rely on the land for their sustainable living.
"There is no doubt that African Lovegrass is beyond eradication within parts of the Cooma-Monaro Shire, but the majority of the shire has not yet been seriously encroached on by such weeds," Mr Scofield said..
Mr Scofield said he is concerned if African Lovegrass is put in the "too hard basket" entire natural ecosystems and several substantial agriculture industries on the Monaro will be lost.
Cooma-Monaro Shire Council sees this as an opportunity to bring to light not only the issues facing landholders in the area with noxious weeds.
An agricultural trade day will be held on Wednesday 14 to coincide with the weeds conference.
For more information on the NSW Weeds Conference contact visit Cooma-Monaro Weed Management Services or call 02 6455 1941.
