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Rampant weed growth in Gippsland needs to be better addressed by Andrews Labor government

Gippsland landowners are continuing to face an uphill battle as the Andrews Labor government fails to take action to enforce the law with respect to noxious weeds.

By news@gippsland - 24th February 2023 - Back to News

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien said he has been contacted by a number of frustrated land holders throughout the electorate who are struggling to manage weeds due to rampant weed growth on neighbouring properties - many of which are Crown land. Mr O'Brien said he has regularly raised the issue of weed eradication with the state government, but he is not seeing any action on the ground.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien is calling on the state government to better enforce the law with respect to weed management

Costing billions from farmers

Mr O'Brien said, "Unfortunately it is becoming somewhat of a tradition that around this time of year I am inundated with calls from fed-up farmers and land-holders who are rightly concerned about unmanaged weeds, particularly ragwort and blackberries and particularly in the South Gippsland Shire."

"Most landholders do the right thing, but many farmers are angry and frustrated that some of their neighbours do not and that the government doesn't enforce the law with respect to weed management. Indeed, the government departments themselves are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to mismanagement of weeds on Crown land or in road reserves."

"Weeds currently cost Australian farmers $4 billion each year through yield losses and product contamination and this government needs to take action to ensure they are not contributing to the problem. I am calling on the Andrews Labor government to urgently address this matter and ensure that state department owned land is properly treated and that recalcitrant landowners are feeling the full force of the law." Mr O'Brien said.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com