Port Stephens Council will receive more than $160,000 to fight its war on weeds, thanks to grants from the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.
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The grants were announced on Friday morning by Catherine Cusack MLC at Riverside Park in Raymond Terrace.
As part of the grant, $33,500 will go towards controlling aquatic weeds near the Hunter, Paterson and Williams Rivers, as well as the foreshore of the Riverside Caravan Park.
“Aquatic weeds such as Alligator weed, Water Hyacinth, and Giant Salvinia all have the ability to rapidly cover the water’s surface and if left un-managed can become a major problem in a very short space of time,” Ms Cusack said.
“They also have the ability to reduce the amenity of waterways, reduce agricultural access to the water for irrigation and for stock, and reduce the habitat for our precious native fauna.”
Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said the funds will go towards protecting the Port’s precious environment.
“Weeds aren’t the sexiest topic and getting people to pay attention to the damage they cause is a big challenge,” he said.
“But once you start to learn why plants like Chinese Violet, Giant Salvinia and Allligator weed are considered a biosecurity risk, it’s alarming how often you’ll recognise them lurking in our precious environment.
“These grants will be used to continue our war on weeds across Port Stephens, so that we can protect and enhance the beautiful natural environment we’re so lucky to have.”
Ms Cusack said the funding would also support the hard work of local community groups including Port Stephens PCYC.
“Safety will be improved at PCYC Port Stephens with a $10,000 contribution toward removing two trees, which currently overhang the carpark,” she said.
“A number of visitors have raised concerns about the trees losing branches.”
Ms Cusack was joined in Raymond Terrace on Friday morning by the Port Stephens Liberal candidate, Jaimie Abbott.
Ms Abbott welcomed the funding, noting that almost $37,000 of the grant will continue the work of koala habitat and dune restoration at One Mile Beach.
“I’m really pleased to see funding for all of these important environmental projects, and for Port Stephens Council to continue their weeding program at the One Mile Beach site, ensuring our local marsupials have a safe place to live,” Ms Abbott said.
Port Stephens Council successfully applied for seven grants totalling $160,000 to tackle weeds across the local government area, including:
- Bitou bush at Neil Carroll Park, Nelson Bay
- Chinese violet, coastal areas of Port Stephens
- Long-leaf willow primrose, coastal areas of Port Stephens
- Alligator weed, water hyacinth and giant salvinia in the Hunter, Paterson and Williams rivers, as well as throughout Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace
- Biosecurity weed control along Lemon Tree Passage foreshore
- Dune and koala habitat restoration at One Mile Beach
- Controlling of weeds at Glen Oak Crown Land Reserve
