11 May
2006 - The Australian Government’s new Defeating
the Weed Menace programme has received another
$10 million in the recent Federal Budget making
the total available $14.2 million in 2006-07.
Australian Government Minister
for Conservation, and Acting Minister for the
Environment, Senator Eric Abetz, said the funding
would support 40 projects throughout Australia.
“The Australian Government is
providing national leadership in this important
area of land management and weed eradication,”
Senator Abetz said.
“This is too big a problem for
governments to leave to chance. Weeds cost Australian
farmers about $4 billion a year in lost production
in control measures as well as being one of the
greatest threats to Australia's biodiversity.
“This budget funding will funding
will allow practical weed control measures across
the country, such as best practice management
and biodiversity strategies, and biological control.
“These projects will help control
Australia’s most threatening weeds which are listed
on the National Environmental Alert List and as
priority sleeper weeds, otherwise known as Weeds
of National Significance.”
Some of the projects funded from previous rounds
include $296,500 for the implementation of early
detection programs for nationally significant
aquatic weeds in New South Wales, and $500,000
for Lantana containment zones in Queensland.
“The Australian Government is
providing $44.4 million over four years for national
action on weeds through its Defeating the Weed
Menace programme.”
“This important programme is
about increasing people’s awareness, skills and
knowledge to manage Australia’s weed menace through
effective communication involving educators and
the media, highlighting the weed problem and what
can be done about it through prevention, early
detection, eradication and control,” Senator Abetz
said.
