Katrina Hodgkinson MP Minister for Primary Industries Minister for Small Business

MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 16 April 2013

$10.8 MILLION TO FIGHT THE WEEDS WAR Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson is today encouraging local government, Landcare, LHPAs, CMAs and other public authorities to apply for new weed innovation funding to help tackle problem weeds across NSW for the 2103-14 financial year. “Last year’s Weeds Action Program provided funding to 21 projects, both regional and statewide, to tackle invasive weeds,” Ms Hodgkinson said. “The new Weed Innovation Management fund is an additional $1.1 million for innovative ways of managing weeds through both individual projects and regional partnerships. “On top of this is a further $9.7 million for this year’s Weeds Action Program, making the weeds package valued at $10.8 million. “Substantial rains over recent years have seen weeds taking hold in many areas. Many seeds have travelled with floodwaters to new locations and we need to get on top of these problem weeds as quickly as possible. “The new Weed Innovation Management fund is targeted at working together and delivering projects that help farmers and local communities tackle problem weeds. “We are looking for innovative projects that will prevent and manage new weed incursions, contain existing weeds and build effective partnerships. “Eligible projects may include innovative training, education, research and community awareness activities that address high priority weeds. “Rural people are some of our greatest innovators and I am confident this additional new funding grant will uncover new novel ways to tackle some of NSW’s most challenging weed issues.” Ms Hodgkinson said the Weeds Action Program is an extremely successful partnership between State and local government with significant impacts on problem weeds being realised across NSW. “The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to strengthening the State’s weed management measures.” Submissions for the new weed innovation funding close on 3 May 2013. All projects must be completed no later than 30 June 2015. For further information and submission forms visit: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

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2012/13 WEEDS FUNDING

Regional Projects/Regional Organisation

Host Agency

Monaro Regional Weeds Committee

Cooma Monaro Shire Council

277,064

Southern Tablelands & South Coast Noxious Plants Committee

Southern Councils Group

465,584

Palerang Council

574,468

Southern Tablelands & South Coast Noxious Plants Committee East & West Riverina Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee Hunter and Central Coast Weeds Committee Upper Hunter County Council Lachlan Valley Weeds Advisory Committee Macquarie Valley Weeds Advisory Committee Northern Inland Weeds Advisory Committee Upper Macquarie County Council

Greater Hume Shire Council Upper Hunter County Council Upper Hunter County Council Cowra Shire Council Cabonne Shire Council

1,291,837 438,475 204,192 310,448 1,132,562

Northern Inland Weeds Advisory Committee Upper Macquarie County Council

1,064,275 219,452

NSW North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee Sydney Weeds Committees (combined)

Mid North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee Inc Far North Coast Weeds County Council Hawkesbury River County Council

Sydney Weeds Committees (combined) Hawkesbury Aquatic Weeds Supplement

Hawkesbury River County Council

Mid North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee Inc

2012-13 Grant $

470,569 904,504 856,157 100,000

State Projects Weed management on Crown Lands (grants to local groups) Parthenium Response – Biosecure Borders

NSW Department of Primary Industries (Crown Lands) NSW Department of Primary Industries (& NSW Parthenium Taskforce)

New Incursion rapid Response Serrated Tussock – Landscape Solutions

NSW Department of Primary Industries (Incl Tocal College) NSW Department of Primary Industries NSW Department of Primary Industries Mid Western Regional Council

Coordination and Management

NSW Department of Primary Industries

Building Capacity and Regional Engagement Improved Management of Aquatic Weeds

Weed innovation fund

Sub total – Weeds Action Program Local government and other public authorities Total

182,880

170,368 304,800 182,880 152,400 132,080 1,125,408 270,000 9,704,995 1,090,005 10,795,000

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