Landholders have a great opportunity to receive assistance to carry out control measures for invasive species courtesy of funding that is being offered through the Western Weed Management Program.
The Western Weed Management Program, which is offering funding for all priority weeds listed in the Western Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2017-2022, seeks to improve and sustain the condition of natural resources in the Western region through control measures for invasive species, specifically African Boxthorn, which threatens the condition of the Coolibah-Black Box Endangered Ecological Community.
African Boxthorn is an aggressive invader of pastures, roadsides, reserves, remnant bushland and waterways. It forms an impenetrable, spiny thicket that inhibits the movement of stock and provides a haven for feral animals.
Funds may be used to cover any cost associated with the weed control works, including:
- labour – including landholders' labour or that of their employees
- contractor – includes labour, plant or equipment
- fuel – diesel to mix with chemical
- other – includes chemicals and products that align with a best practice, integrated control program.
The Western Weed Management Program will complement works that were undertaken last financial year by landholders who were successful in receiving funding in a similar program.
That program saw 15 landholders manage a combined area of over 23,000 hectares in Ivanhoe, along the Lachlan River (Euabalong to Hillston), Brewarrina and Broken Hill.
EOIs for the Western Weed Management Program are due by Friday, 6 September.
