THE weeds body that covers the Bathurst region is calling on district landowners to sign up to tackle serrated tussock infestations on their properties.
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Upper Macquarie County Council – which covers Bathurst, Blayney, Oberon and Lithgow council areas – is preparing to start its next aerial weed spraying program in early September (depending on weather conditions).
The county council cancelled its autumn aerial spraying program this year due to the lack of rainfall.
County council general manager David Young said surface soils now have enough moisture in them to make it suitable to treat serrated tussock.
“The county council normally conducts two aerial spraying programs a year and the spring program is usually the biggest of the two,” he said.
“The spring 2017 aerial spraying campaign was very successful with over 1000 hectares of serrated tussock sprayed, but the autumn 2017 program had to be deferred due to drought conditions.”
Mr Young said most rural landholdings, whether large or small, are suitable for aerial treatment, “including terrain inaccessible by ground machinery”.
“The spring program focuses principally on serrated tussock, and this year we are making available an aerial liquid spray treatment or aerial granular treatment,” he said.
“They both use the same chemical and both treatments are delivered by helicopter.”
Mr Young said serrated tussock is known to be one of the worst perennial grass weeds in Australia.
“If you have any serrated tussock on your land or next door, you do have a problem,” he said.
“If left uncontrolled, it can take over your property and spread far and wide as the wind blows its fine seed across the region.”
Landholders who would like more information about aerial spraying programs generally or who want to register their interest in taking part this year should email Upper Macquarie County Council on admin@umcc.nsw.gov.au or phone during office hours on (02) 6338 2875.