The NSW Government’s own backyard is the focus of a $2.5 million push to control problem weeds and improve agricultural productivity across the State.

The NSW Government has a large land footprint and is committed to playing a leadership role in the war against invasive weeds.

The new program will ramp up weed control, monitoring and coordination across the NSW Government’s 36 million hectare land portfolio taking in Crown Land and Travelling Stock Routes.

The state-wide measures build on the $8 million regional Weeds Action Program and the roll-out of thirteen regional weed management projects across the State.

Targeting publicly-owned land has a flow-on affect for the broader agriculture community and as a large land owner will have a real impact on the control of State-significant weeds.

The initiative establishes clearer accountability between various State agencies, prioritises efforts towards problem weeds and ensures the NSW Government is accountable when it comes to weed management.

Under the scheme, specific funding will be allocated to NSW DPI’s Catchment and Lands and Livestock Health and Pest Authorities for on-the-ground weed management, particularly targeting Crown Lands and travelling Stock Routes.

Public land weed control investment is part of a series of new State-wide measures aimed at tackling invasive weeds and improving agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.

The NSW Government is committed to strengthening the State’s weed management measures and has increased weed control funding through both regional and State-wide initiatives.

New initiatives include:

• Herbicide trials for the effective control of serrated tussock and overcoming herbicide resistance issues;
• Improved management of fireweed and other widespread species, including the provision of best practice advice for landholders;
• Improved identification and monitoring by Catchment Management Authorities of widespread weeds impacting on livestock, plants, crops and biodiversity assets.
• Parthenium weed strategy, incorporating emergency response for new weed outbreaks,coordination and compliance of cross-border weed incursions.