During April an aerial weed spraying program across the Upper Macquarie County Council area resulted in 1973 hectares being sprayed for serrated tussock and blackberry.

Recognised as one of the worst weeds in Australia, blackberry was declared a Weed of National Significance in 1999. Blackberry grows vigorously and can infest large areas quickly. 

The weed has been estimated to result in an annual loss of production and cost of control of between $95.1 million and $102.8 million in Australia. Blackberry infests about 9 million hectares of land in Australia.

Serrated tussock is another noxious weed that is highly adapted to a range of environments, it seeds prolifically and is difficult and costly to control. The weed can infest land ranging from highly arable and fertile areas through to steep and non-arable areas with low fertility.

UMCC chairman Geoff Braddon said it was “vital that we deal effectively with these weeds and minimise the impact that they have on our region”.

“Staff will shortly start preparing for the spring aerial spraying program and landholders interested in participating in that program are encouraged to contact council,” he said.

More information on noxious weeds and their control can be found on at umcc.nsw.gov.au