Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 10 Hansard (4 September) . . Page.. 3070 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

A key element of the strategy is determining priority weed species and areas. This is done through the Landcare subcommittee of the Government's Environment Advisory Committee, who will bring together views on which weeds in which locations warrant priority for control and will recommend action during the next weed control season. Core membership of the Landcare subcommittee may be expanded for those deliberations, to ensure that the full spectrum of agency and community views on weed control priorities is considered.

In order to be ready for the current weed control season, I asked the Landcare subcommittee to consider priority weeds for immediate attention. The committee met last week and established the following program: Serrated tussock in the Ginninderra Creek and Paddys River catchments; African lovegrass along the Murrumbidgee River corridor; St John's wort on road verges in Pialligo Avenue and Sutton Road in conjunction with Yarrowlumla Shire and Queanbeyan City Council; and woody weeds such as cotoneaster and hawthorn in Canberra Nature Park and other public land.

As well, Mr Speaker, the committee recommended that a program to raise community awareness be undertaken to enhance identification of two grasses emerging as weed threats in the ACT. These are Chilean needlegrass and spiny burr grass. This process has already begun, with information on Chilean needlegrass being published in this week's ACT Public Sector News - a publication which goes to every person on the ACT's payroll. Members will notice it with their pay slips that have been received this week. Under the heading, "Weeds of the ACT", information about Chilean needlegrass is provided. The committee also believes that it will be useful to target retail plant outlets to point out that certain willow species are environmentally damaging and to request that nurseries and others sell acceptable alternative species.

Routine weed control programs will, of course, continue on land managed by individuals and government agencies. Control cannot be achieved in the short term. This strategy is intended to guide weed control over a 10-year period. The work that has gone into the development of the ACT weeds strategy now requires the commitment and cooperation of government and community to implement the programs that will result in weed control in the ACT. The development of the strategy has come about through cooperation between government and the community, and I thank all those who have given their time and expertise to draw up the strategy and compile the priority list. This Government's vision is to see weeds in the ACT controlled. This vision will be achieved by government and community continuing to work as partners, in a strategic way, to effectively and efficiently implement the measures contained in the ACT weeds strategy. Mr Speaker, I commend the strategy to the house.

Debate (on motion by Ms Horodny) adjourned.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .