Members of the Tilba and South Narooma Landcare Group are seeking support from the Eden-Monaro candidates in their battle against the toxic and fast-spreading fireweed.
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Group members Robert Dunn, president, and Harry Bate had a chance to raise the subject at the recent Liberal Party function when the Premier visited.
Liberal candidate and Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Dr Peter Hendy told Mr Dunn that he was confident his Government will make an announcement about the growing fireweed menace before election day.
And Dr Hendy has promised a full review of control measures and Federal Government assistance as a response to the growing fireweed menace in his electorate.
Dr Hendy said the fireweed infestation threat was a genuinely significant issue affecting all coastal areas of New South Wales, and was even spreading to inland rural areas and if not brought under control posed a real threat to dairy and food production in the area.
He agreed with Mr Dunn that this could ultimately Impact on Australia’s overseas export trade.
In a wide ranging response, Dr.Hendy told Mr Dunn that he would work to co-ordinate the efforts of all levels of government - state, local and federal – and in particular would seek to increase funding levels for research for a biological solution.
M Dunn said Dr Hendy also supported the application of the recently announced budgetary measures to extend the work for the dole program to work experience on private land which could include fireweed picking and also bring in Green Army volunteers to assist.
And Dr Hendy would consider offering tax deduction and other incentives for land owners to modify their fencing required to contain sheep introduced for control purposes and remove bureaucratic red tape that forced volunteer groups to become registered businesses just to access the aid scheme, Mr Dunn said.
The Narooma News asked Labor candidate Mike Kelly about the fireweed issue when he visited the Narooma CWA branch on Friday.
Dr Kelly back when he was Member for Eden Monaro in 2013 announced that the Labor Government would commit $500,000 to the Bega Valley Fireweed Assocation to continue the research into biological control of fireweed.
He said a biological control was the only real answer and he backed a fireweed research program being done by the University of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa as that was the where the weed originated.
He said coming from Bega Valley farming stock he was well aware of the impacts of fireweed and was concerned it could even spread inland.
State Member for Bega Andrew Constance meanwhile announced this week that the Tilba District Landcare group will receive a $98,854 NSW Government Restoration and Rehabilitation grant, to protect the vulnerable Warty Ziera, of which there are less than 3000 plants remaining worldwide. Read more