Kempsey Shire Council manages high priority weed species under NSW Biosecurity Legislation to protect the local environment and community. If not regularly managed and controlled correctly, weeds can destroy the environment and threaten native plants, reducing farm and forest productivity.
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Council is responsible for controlling some categories of listed high priority weeds on public land. Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, residents also have a responsibility to control invasive plants on their own properties and can seek assistance from council with weed identification and control options. Weed eradication programs are carried out regularly by council's weed officers to protect local waterways and the habitats of native plants.
This week, council will conduct an annual aerial spraying weed program to combat bitou bush on Crown Land along the fringes of the beaches at Stuarts Point, Middle Head and Grassy Head, weather permitting.
Bitou bush infests about 80 per cent of the NSW coastline, extending 10km inland in some areas.
"Aerial spraying is part of an ongoing weed management program which Council undertakes, funded by Crown Lands and it includes other techniques such as physical removal, cut and paint, spot spraying and bush regeneration," said Weeds Officer Greg Egan.
"Spraying herbicides from helicopters for the treatment of large tracts of Crown Land infested by Bitou Bush is an effective management technique which has been used by various land management agencies across NSW."
Some beach access will be closed for a short period of time while the works are taking place with signage around the area advising residents and visitors of the work. The spraying uses herbicide which is registered and approved by relevant authorities to control bitou bush and applied in accordance with best practice management guidelines.
A map indicating the spraying zone is available at: www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au or contact council's customer service team on 6566 3200.
