Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Philip Davis

Green Teams To Pick Weeds From Roadsides

Roadside weeds would be used to make biodiesel under another loopy Greens policy, Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources Philip Davis said today.

By Phillip Davis - 16th October 2006 - Back to News

Mr Davis said The Greens’ Upper House candidate for Northern Victoria Region Jennifer Alden told a recent forum that her party would pick roadside weeds and use them to create biodiesel.[1]

"It is little wonder that farmers at the forum thought this policy was a joke," Mr Davis said.

"Because not all plants on roadsides are weeds, in fact most are protected because they are native vegetation, The Greens are proposing is to selectively harvest weeds from the sides of all Victorian roads.

"How many thousands of people are The Greens proposing be employed by the State Government to inspect roadside vegetation around Victoria and hand pluck individual plants of Patterson’s Curse, Ragwort and other weeds?

"This is yet another loopy policy by The Greens."

Mr Davis said the policy of any State Government must be to eradicate weeds, not harvest them.

"The extensive resources that would be needed to harvest weeds in this manner, including expenditure of fuel and labour intensity makes this policy not only unsustainable but completely laughable," Mr Davis said.

"We need to eradicate these roadside weeds, which are often a source of infestation for farms."

Mr Davis said a Liberal Government would introduce measures to ensure Crown Land was clear of weeds which would infest neighbouring farms.

"Farmers are held to account if they fail their legally responsibility to control weeds on their property, but this can be frustrated by lax management on Crown lands," Mr Davis said.

"A Liberal Government will empower the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability to name and shame government agencies that fail to control weeds, and clean-up teams will be sent in to clear weeds from public land where they are directly impacting neighbouring farms.

[1] "Humane approach to pests pushed", The Border Mail, 28 September 2006

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Bass Coast announces fee-free green waste period to help residents prepare for upcoming fire season
  Bass Coast residents can dispose of domestic green waste for free from 1 - 23 November 2025, helping the community prepare properties and reduce fire hazards ahead of the summer season.
• Wellington Shire Council offers free green waste disposal to help residents reduce fire hazards this season
  Wellington Shire Council is urging property owners, particularly in coastal communities, to prepare for the fire danger period by taking advantage of its Fire Ready No-Fee Green Waste Disposal program.
• Have your say on the draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy balance road access, submit by 28 September 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council invites feedback on its Draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy, aiming to balance vibrant business activity with safe pedestrian access. Consultation runs 29 August - 28 September on Baw Baw Connect.
• Baw Baw Shire Council approves Roadside Trading Policy and Open Space Strategy following community feedback
  Baw Baw Council has adopted its new Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy and Open Space Strategy, following extensive community consultation to guide safe, vibrant, and accessible public spaces.
• Melina Bath urges Allan government to urgently address hazardous roadside vegetation threatening eastern Victoria communities
  Nationals’ Melina Bath warns eastern Victoria communities face bushfire risks from overgrown roadside vegetation, urging Allan Government to implement slashing, controlled burning, and weed management to improve public safety.
• West Gippsland Landcare awarded $337,250 to transform landscapes, protect species, and enhance community green spaces statewide
  West Gippsland Landcare volunteers received $337,250 from 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants to restore landscapes, protect endangered species, enhance waterways, plant 30,000 trees, and engage communities in conservation projects.
• Council urges transparent, community-focused approach for battery energy storage systems across Baw Baw
  Baw Baw Council raises concerns over proposed BESS projects, urging transparency, protection of prime agricultural land, community input, and stronger oversight of sites outside designated renewable energy zones.