Member for Benalla and Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Industries, Bill Sykes said today that the Victorian Coalition Government has increased its enforcement of established weeds and pest animals on private property.
Dr Sykes said improved programs of enforcement of regionally controlled weeds and pest animals have been established throughout north east Victoria and include the control of blackberry, serrated tussock, gorse, ragwort and rabbits.
He said, “State wide the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has more than doubled property inspections in a bid to target land owners who fail to control weeds which present a threat to agriculture.
“As a result of this crackdown around 564 properties in the North East catchment area have been inspected over an area of approximately 28,549 hectares with over 100 properties being issued with Land Management Notices or Directions Notices. In several cases infringement notices have been issued.
“In the Goulburn Broken catchment area over 232 properties have been inspected covering an area of approximately 23,083 hectares. Over 54 properties have been issued with Land Management Notices or Directions Notices, three with infringement notices and one prosecution is pending.”
Dr Sykes said, “In an electorate like Benalla, where such a variety of weeds are threats in different areas, a higher level of enforcement is required and this will continue to be the case.”
Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh said, “This government allocated an additional $21.2 million in the State Budget to boost the fight against weeds and pests and this investment is paying off.”
Mr Walsh said that during July to December 2011 DPI officers have inspected 2,768 properties across the state compared to just 1,290 for the same period in 2010.
He said, “This government is committed to taking action on those landholders who allow their properties to become a haven for weeds and pests.”
Mr Walsh said the former Labor Government had walked away from controlling widespread weeds such as gorse and blackberry.
“The fact that more than one in five properties inspected required an improvement notice is proof the state wend backwards under Labor’s lax approach.”
Mr Walsh said DPI inspectors would target weed enforcement actions to support communities where landholders were working together to coordinate pest control action, for example through Landcare groups or weed taskforces.
The department is implementing 90 weed enforcement projects across Victoria to support community-led action on weeds.

Bill Sykes, Member for Benalla today announced that the Up2Us Landcare Alliance in the Mansfield district will receive funding for a Landcare Facilitator position under the Victorian Coalition Government’s $12 million Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative.
Dr Sykes said, “I congratulate the Up2Us Landcare Alliance for their successful funding bid and acknowledge the important work that this group do in creating sustainable environments throughout the Mansfield area.
“Up2Us was established in 2008 as a locally based network within the Mansfield region to work with local groups and organisations and both State and local government to help create a well-cared for environment for residents and future generations.
“As a member of the Molyullah-Tatong Tree & Land Protection Group, I know first-hand that the work undertaken by groups such as Up2Us is vitally important to help preserve important native flora, manage erosion and revitalise degraded land.
“I encourage local residents to consider applying for this role.”
The Up2Us Landcare Alliance includes affiliated groups such as the Ancona Valley Landcare Group, Delatite Landcare Group, Friends of the Mansfield Mullum Wetlands, Howqua Hills Progress Association, Howqua Valley Landcare Group, Mansfield Environment and Climate Action, Upper Broken River Landcare Group and Mansfield branch of the Victorian Farmers Federation.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith said that successful organisations will receive a fixed grant of up to $50,000 a year towards funding the facilitator positions.
The 60 new Landcare facilitator positions will deliver on another Coalition Government election commitment and, in combination with the additional $600,000 in funding announced in July, demonstrates this government’s strong commitment to Landcare in their 25th anniversary year.
“The facilitators will play a vital role in supporting Landcare groups in on-ground delivery, building community capacity and partnerships and assisting with advice on project development,” Mr Smith said.
Landcare in Victoria covers well over 1,000 Landcare and other community based environment groups, and has thousands of members including farmers, urban and semi-urban residents, landholders, families and students.
For more information on Landcare go to www.landcarevic.net.au.

Member for Benalla Bill Sykes and Member for Seymour Cindy McLeish have announced that Hughes Creek Catchment Collaborative, Merton-Alexandra Landcare Alliance and Upper Goulburn Landcare Network will receive funding for a Landcare facilitator position under the Victorian Coalition Government’s $12 million Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative.
Dr Sykes in congratulating these groups said, “The collective Landcare and land management groups that make up these three networks promote a positive relationship between landholders, community organisations and State and local government.
“They play an important role in building sustainable communities for us and future generations to enjoy the benefits of.
“The provision for Landcare Facilitators for these groups will go a long way to improving the excellent work already done by our Landcare groups and I encourage local residents in these areas to consider applying for the role.”
Ms McLeish said, “The State Government and the community value the work done by Landcare. These facilitator roles recognise this and demonstrate our commitment to this type of work.
“Landcare volunteers contribute well at the local level and so it is important that these roles provide a local link with government.”
The 60 new Landcare facilitator positions will deliver on yet another Coalition Government election commitment and, in combination with the additional $600,000 in funding announced in July, this demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to Landcare in their 25th anniversary year.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said that successful organisations will receive a fixed grant of up to $50,000 a year towards funding the facilitator positions.
“The facilitators will play a vital role in supporting Landcare groups in on-ground delivery, building community capacity and partnerships and assisting with advice on project development.
“Recruiting from within the local community means the facilitators will have a good understanding of the local area and issues and will be able to work more closely with their local groups.
“The Coalition Government congratulates Landcare for its engagement with the community and for its significant on-ground works that protect and enhance our environment and support sustainable agriculture,” Mr Smith said.
Landcare in Victoria covers well over one thousand Landcare and other community-based environmental groups, and has thousands of members including farmers, urban residents, landholders, families and students.
For more information about Landcare, please visit www.landcarevic.net.au.