Council to commence weed spraying trial
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Yass Valley Council will conduct a targeted weed spraying trial on a small number of sealed roads within the Local Government Area between the end of April and late May.
Funding of $50,000 will be allocated from the current maintenance works budget to start an immediate yet limited program consisting of one month’s treatment of emerging winter and perennial weeds - including Blackberry, African Lovegrass, Sweet Briar and St John’s Wort - along the following road reserves:
Yass River Road (commencing at Gundaroo Road end) – 37.4km. East Tallagandra Lane (commencing at Mulligan’s Flat Road) – 5.7km Spring Range Road (commencing at Barton Highway) – 12km Wargeila Road (commencing at Yass Valley Way) – 21.9km Red Hill Road - 5.9km Illalong road -11km Hughstonia Road – 13.8km Dog Trap Road – 29.9km“While road reserve weed spraying has not been specifically funded up until this point within its maintenance programs, Council accepts that it has a responsibility under the Biosecurity Act to manage weeds along our road reserves within the resources that we have available,” said Council’s Director Infrastructure and Assets, Stan Robb.
“This targeted trial of randomly selected local roads (not regional or state owned roads) is to give Council guidance in the effectiveness of a limited program of work. Once we have collated the data from the trial, we will be in a better position to be able to determine the possible funding for ongoing Council-wide programs for consideration in future budget deliberations.”
Mr Robb said a cooperative targeted approach to roadside weed management is required for maximum effectiveness.
“We will be seeking the co-operation of adjacent landowners to undertake similar weed eradication and control measures at the same time so we can launch a double-pronged attack,” Mr Robb said.
“This will require a commitment from both landowners and Council with the eventual aim being a Council wide program that over time will assist in priority weed control.”
Funding of $200,000 to extend the trial across the Council area to undertake a program of maintenance works associated with the spraying of priority weeds along Council managed and maintained road reserves will also be considered in the 2020/21 Budget deliberations.
6 March 2020
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