THEY’RE among the worst offenders in the state’s $1.8 billion weed problem – but the likes of serrated tussock, Chilean needle grass, alligator weed, tropical soda apple and Parthenium weed are about to get special attention.
Invasive weeds are set to take another hit with an additional $1.5 million funding announced for state government’s 2017-18 Weeds Action Program.
Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair said the funding – now at a total $12 million – would support regional weeds programs in each Local Land Services region, as well as ten state-wide projects focused on finding smarter ways to fight weeds.
Examples of projects include fast-tracking the delivery of biological weed control agents as a sustainable, cost-effective weed solution; and Hawkweed eradication projects including strategic surveillance and rapid responses to remove plants and eliminate reproduction.
“Weeds continue to cost NSW almost $1.8 billion in lost agricultural production and control – this is why we’re providing additional funding for ground-breaking research projects,” Mr Blair said.
Eleven regional strategic weed management plans for 2017-22 were launched in June, one for each LLS region, to safeguard the state against the threat of weeds.
Dr Andrew Sanger, DPI’s Director of Invasive Plant and Animals, said managing weeds in NSW ranged from preventing a pest from establishing itself, to containing advanced, widespread problem species to certain areas.
“It’s a battle, that’s for sure,” he said. “In some places a win is keeping something out altogether. In other places it is keeping something from spreading past a certain area.”
A new version of the DPI WeedWise app – an invaluable tool for weed management and identification – is available free of charge through the Apple App Store or Google Play.