Weed Attack To Benefit All Australians

October 29, 1999 The Rural News

Thousands of people joined in landcare, Green Corps, community group, government and private business organised activities during National Weedbuster Week to increase their understanding of the impacts weeds cause to the environment, primary industries and human and animal welfare.

John Thorp. National Weeds Strategy Project manager said, "Weeds are underestimated silent invaders of Australian ecosystems which cost primary industries alone in excess of $3.3 billion a year and require urgent action."

"On a global scale alien species are rated the second biggest threat to the world's biodiversity and weedbusting Australians will take action through a combination of control methods against many of the 2800 non-native plants recorded in bushland for the benefit of fellow Australians and ultimately the world.

"By increasing our awareness of the problems these weedy aliens pose and learning what we can do to prevent them being introduced and spreading in our areas we have an opportunity to preserve our country. Nowhere else in the world can you visit Kakadu, surf Margaret River, bush walk in the Blue Mountains, work on an Australian rural property or see a Julia Creek Dunnart in the wild and it is these and many other wonderful things that Weedbusters are helping.

'Of the 450 weeds targeted by legislation across Australia, close to 50 per cent were deliberately introduced, which highlights the need for Australians to work together to prevent future problems.

"In June with the support of all Australian and New Zealand Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation ministerial councils, Australia led the world and took a major step forward by identifying twenty Weeds of National Significance.

"National strategies for each Weed of significance are being developed and their success relies on all Australians joining together to minimise their current and future impact of weeds by taking action to prevent their further spread."

"By working as one, Australians can show the rest of the world we continue to conserve and manage our natural resources from alien weeds."