Council provides additional funding for weed control

At the Council Meeting on 20 February, Blayney Shire Council approved an additional $25,000 to Central Tablelands Weeds Authority (CTWA) to complete section 1 of a 3-year weed spraying program in Blayney Shire.

CTWA are a County Council responsible for weed control and management encompasses the areas of Blayney Shire, Bathurst Regional, Lithgow City and Oberon Councils.

The additional $25,000 was requested from CTWA and deemed appropriate by Council given the last few years’ weather providing optimum conditions for weed growth and the initial allocation not adequate to cover the labor and chemical costs required. Council supported the request, knowing that the problem would only worsen and require a greater allocation in the future.

The additional funding was allocated from the Flyers Creek Wind Farm Voluntary Planning Agreement.

Blayney Shire Councillor and CTWA Deputy Chairman, Bruce Reynolds said that the recent weather conditions have contributed to the weed growth.

‘Each Council was asked for extra funding because weeds have gotten out of control’

‘In providing this extra funding, it will benefit our rural landholders quite substantially in stopping that pathway of the spread of those priority weeds,’ said Cr Reynolds.

Blayney Shire Councillor and CTWA Member, Allan Ewin said the new program will have positive impacts in the long run.

‘The program is to return to the section every 3 years, which hasn't happened in the past. This new program makes it possible to at least control the weeds on our roadways’

‘It is all about looking after the land and unfortunately there are some weeds that we will never eradicate but if we can get them to the point of control that would be fantastic,’ said Cr Ewin.

The roads listed under the 3 stages can be found on the CTWA website.