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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 11 Hansard (26 September) . . Page.. 3383 ..

Walking and cycling path, Yarralumla

(Question No 281)

Mr Cornwell asked the Minister for Urban Services, upon notice, on 24 September 2002:

In relation to the walking and cycle path between Nursery Bay and Warrina Inlet, Yarralumla.

(1) Was the spraying of blackberries undertaken in this area.

(2) If so, did the spray also effect other vegetation.

(3) If spraying had no effect upon other vegetation, why is the undergrowth and trees dying along this route

Mr Wood: The answer to the member's questions is as follows:

(1) Yes, Canberra Urban Parks and Places sprayed the blackberries in the area during May 2001.

(2) No, the spraying did not effect any of the vegetation in the area which it is desirable to keep. However, spraying was also undertaken of other pest plants, which heavily infest this area, including broom, gorse, pyracantha, hawthorn, pine wildings and serrated tussock.

(3) The undergrowth and trees in the area are dead or in decline through a combination of the targeted weed control program, clearing of powerlines and the natural aging of wattle trees.

The area in question comprises part of Westbourne Woods. The original design intent for this area was for selected plantings of pines and eucalypts, and did not involve understorey plantings or plantings of other tree species. Over time the lake foreshore area has become heavily infested with garden escapees and selfsown wattle trees, which have formed a dense understorey that prevents access, provides a seed source for pest plants and are a fire hazard.

Recently work was undertaken in the area to clear vegetation from high-voltage powerlines that run adjacent to the Royal Canberra Golf Course, between Banks Street and Dunrossil Drive. This resulted in further clearing of the weedy understorey and self-sown wattles and pine wildings to enable access.

The magnitude of the weed infestation in the area requires that control and retreatment of pest plants will be undertaken over a number of years.

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