19/05/2005 - Tasmania's
Cradle Coast will benefit from a new strategy
to control the weed menace, thanks to the
Australian Government's $48,000 investment
under the Natural Heritage Trust.
The Weed Management Strategy will be launched
today by Australian Government Ministers for
the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian
Campbell, Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation,
Senator Ian Macdonald, and Tasmanian Ministers
Steven Kons and Judy Jackson.
Senator Campbell said strategic weed management
was critical to improving the overall health
of the Cradle Coast environment and this plan
sets out short, medium and long-term goals
to address the problem.
"Weeds are a significant issue on many
levels, from environmental to economic and
social values. Weeds choke out native plants,
diminish habitat and food sources for native
animals, affect a variety of industries and
have significant impacts on both Indigenous
and European cultural heritage sites,"
he said.
"This comprehensive strategy systematically
tackles weed problems, from slowing the spread
of major infestations to preventative measures
like educating school children about what
weeds can do to the environment.
Senator Macdonald said the economic impacts
of weeds on agriculture could not be underestimated.
"Weeds like blackberry and gorse can
have a devastating impact on grazing land,
from reduced pasture quality to blocked access
to water sources, and seeds can affect both
the processing and quality of wool,"
he said.
Mr Kons noted that land based weeds were
not the only problem.
"Coastal and marine weeds such as Marram
grass and sea spurge are reducing biodiversity
along the coasts, while more familiar weeds
like willows affect both the water quality
and habitat value of streams and creeks,"
he said.
Ms Jackson congratulated Greening Australia
for its contribution to the strategy.
"This weed management strategy will
help determine the long-term sustainable use
and conservation of our natural resources,
and it's wonderful to see solid research and
planning backing this important project,"
she said.
