April 19, 2016
The Federal Government has announced it will help to fund a $13 million research project that will look for effective biocontrols for 10 of Australia’s most invasive weeds.
A total of $6.2 million will be provided through the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) with the rest of the funding being made up by partners in the four-year project.
The 10 weeds to be targeted are:
- Giant rat’s tail grass
- Mother-of-millions
- African boxthorn
- Cabomba
- Prickly acacia
- Sagittaria
- Silverleaf nightshade
- Fleabane
- Sowthistle
- Ox-eye daisy
The target weeds were selected after consultation with industry and farmer groups.
Several of these are weeds of significance in the South Burnett.
RIRDC acting managing director Christine Quick said managing the threats that weeds posed to soil, water and natural resources was a key challenge to Australia’s agricultural sector.
“These weeds impact vast areas of agricultural and pastoral lands and their significant impacts conservatively cost Australia around $400 million each year,” Mrs Quick said.
“Biocontrol is the most cost-effective solution for landscape scale management of these weeds, with historical benefits outweighing R&D costs by over 23:1.
“Biocontrol is a sustainable approach that requires little ongoing investment once biocontrol agents are established, and this will help to enhance Australia’s agricultural competitiveness.”
The project partners include the CSIRO, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the GRDC and Seqwater.
Also involved are water and irrigation companies, State primary industry departments, regional councils, local land services and irrigation companies.
RIRDC will be the managing agency.
