Funding welcome – but a bit weedy - 18 October 2007

The NSW Government pledged yesterday to spend $8 million annually to protect the state from noxious weeds and invasive species.

“This budget allocation says volumes about the NSW Government’s biodiversity security priorities” said Greens Upper House MP Ian Cohen.

“Minister Macdonald admits that ‘weeds pose a threat to 45 per cent of the biodiversity across NSW and that they are actually the single biggest threat to biodiversity after land clearing. In NSW alone, 127 individual weeds threaten 204 species, including flora and fauna.’

“Weeds cost taxpayers $3.9 billion per annum in lower farm incomes and higher food costs, according to the Weeds Co-operative Research Centre at the University of New England.” Mr Cohen said.

“Getting rid of weeds is an investment in our economy and environment. The government must do more. What is forgotten in the debate is that effective weed removal and regeneration can be a labour intensive activity. Weed eradication and associated land care and coast care activities can create jobs, especially involving training for the young.

“Weeds degrade the landscape and displace native plants and animals, pollute waterways and create bushfire hazards. They can cause serious health problems through increased allergies and asthma.

“The State and Federal governments should do more to expand a scheme to remove existing weeds from gardens, and replace them with safe native alternatives.

“The Grow Me Instead initiative of the Nursery and Garden Industry New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory, assisted by the New South Wales Government, is commendable, but more needs to be done.

“The Greens are calling for a national mandatory labelling program to highlight these threatening plants, so consumers can have a fully informed choice about the impacts of the plants they are buying from their local nursery,” he said.

Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466