Weed Management Strategy 2010

Weed Management in the Blue Mountains 

The weed management issues which face the Blue Mountains are unique. The long linear development pattern coupled with our proximity to a World Heritage Area places weeds as one of the single biggest threats to our biodiversity. Additionally, weeds affect property values, aesthetics and the productivity of our agricultural lands.At the meeting of 20 November 2001 (Minute 544), the Council formally adopted its first Weed Management Strategy. This has been successfully implemented for the past 9 years and produced success demonstrated by a number of key indicators. These include:

• Over 200 ha of Council and private land weed infestation has been reduced to minimal levels;
• Key target weeds such as Gorse and Salvinia have been reduced to maintenance levels across the LGA;
• Over 30 new Bushcare / Landcare volunteer groups have been set up (current total of 68) to assist Council in managing weeds resulting in the input of over 72,000 hours of volunteer labour; and
• Over $2.1 million has been obtained from State and Federal Government sources to assist Council and the Community in controlling weeds.

A review of the existing 2001 Weed Strategy has been undertaken with the key findings being:

• Considerable investment has reduced the range and density of a number of key weed species, but weeds continue to pose one of the most significant threats to our local biodiversity and the World Heritage Area;
• Complete weed eradication is an ultimate goal but strategic allocation of limited funds is the only practical way forward;
• High levels of community concern about weed control and protection of bushland are matched by good levels of satisfaction for Council's bushland protection and bush regeneration services but unsatisfactory approval ratings for the weed control service;
• There have been numerous policy and legislative changes at a State and Federal Government level in relation to weed control;
• There is a new and expanded role for Regional Weed Committees that strongly emphasises regional partnerships between Councils and other public authorities;
• Catchment Management Authorities have emerged with a major role in delivery of regional biodiversity conservation and weed management funding; and
• New requirements to reflect Council's increasingly strategic focus towards weed control to maximise environmental outcomes while increasing efficiency and reducing long term maintenance costs.

After a public exhibition period, the Weed Management Strategy 2010 was adopted by the Council at the 23 November 2010 Ordinary Council Meeting (Minute No. 522).

The Weed Management Strategy 2010 is available on the Blue Mountains City Council website www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/yourcouncil/policiesplansandstrategies/  

This item was posted in December 2010.