The Allan Labor Government is helping rural and regional councils across Victoria to be better prepared for the upcoming fire season, with additional funding announced for the Roadside Weeds and Pests program.
Acting Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne today announced 45 councils would receive up to $85,000 each to help manage harmful weeds and pests along rural and regional roads.
Councils can use the funding for a range of activities, such as treating and preventing the spread of harmful weeds including blackberry, boxthorn and serrated tussock. Councils can also use the funding to manage rabbit populations.
Local Government Victoria and Agriculture Victoria will work closely with each council to ensure plans to tackle weeds and pests are tailored to their local area.
Invasive plant and animal species threaten native biodiversity and can have a serious negative impact on agricultural production.
Since 2017, the Labor Government has invested more than $24 million across the state to help councils manage rural roadsides. The Victorian Budget 2025/26 will invest a massive $976 million in a Better Roads Blitz to fix potholes and upgrade road surfaces right across Victoria.
We are rebuilding and resurfacing our most flood damaged roads and repairing potholes as well as maintaining signs and traffic lights, bridges and removing rubbish and graffiti across our network- all to keep our road users moving safely and smoothly on metro and regional roads.
More information on the Roadside Weeds and Pests Program can be found on localgovernment.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Acting Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne
"Reducing roadside weeds and pests is vital for protecting lives and properties in the lead up to the fire season, which is why we're helping councils to manage these invasive species."
As stated by Acting Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney
"Through controlling the population and spread of these roadside weeds and pests, we could potentially save our farmers and economy millions of dollars each year."
