South Burnett Regional Council Natural Resources Management & Parks manager Greg Griffith, NRM officer Denise Whyte and Cr Kathy Duff

November 21, 2012

South Burnett Regional Council has $80,000 available in assistance to landowners to treat African boxthorn.

Natural Resources and Parks spokesperson Cr Kathy Duff said council would provide up to $2000 worth of treatment or herbicide to eligible applicants.

“African boxthorn causes havoc for domestic stock and reduces the productivity of pasture land,” Cr Duff said.

“To be eligible for the funding, landholders are to develop a Sustainable Land Management Plan and make a matching contribution either in labour, materials or equipment.”

African boxthorn is a spiny shrub from South Africa which was introduced to Australia in the mid-1800s as a hedge plant.

It has since spread into pastures, roadside, railways and waterways. It is a Class 2 declared pest plant.

“It is a requirement under the Land Protection Management Act that landholders control this weed, so this funding will help ratepayers,” Cr Duff said.

“The program offers landholders a range of options including access to spray equipment, treatment advice, the development of a Sustainable Land Management plan, mapping and identification of the weed.

“We have been lucky in the South Burnett that this weed has not spread as much as in other regions. The program and funding will assist in containing these infestations and over time significantly reduce these outbreaks.”

Interested applicants should contact Council on (07) 4189-9100 by November 26, 2012.