NICOLE Lawder says the Barr government needs to reinstate the weed management funding cuts from the 2015-16 ACT Budget to address the increasing prevalence of weeds in the ACT’s urban, suburban and rural areas.

“African lovegrass, serrated tussock, Madagascan fireweed and other types of weeds are impacting on the environment across the ACT,” Nicole said.

“Meanwhile, it seems the ACT’s weeds advisory group hasn’t recently met, further signalling the government is taking its eyes off the ball in regards to weed management.

“During Legislative Assembly committee hearings earlier this year the Conservation Council stressed weed management as a major concern and that there wasn’t any scientific evidence to support cuts to the weed management budget.

“The Auditor-General’s report into the restoration of the Lower Cotter catchment also highlighted the control of major weeds as a priority.

“Today in the Assembly I will be moving a motion calling on the government to address these issues. Unlike the Barr government, the Canberra Liberals care about proper management of basic services like weed control, instead of directing all of our attention into a $1 billion light rail project,” Ms Lawder concluded.

UPDATE: Shane Rattenbury insists he’s increased recurrent funding for weed management.

“The ACT Government has increased recurrent base funding for environmental weed management to $1.2 million per annum in order to deliver a long term strategic and targeted annual weeds program,” Shane said.

“Environmental weeds can spread aggressively and cause damage to the environment, the economy and animal health.

“This Government recognises the importance of having a targeted annual environmental weeds control program and over the past two budgets has increased base funding to allow for a longer term strategic planning outlook to weed control.

“I agree with comments from Nicole Lawder that we don’t want stop-start funding, but rather than one-off project funding as she suggests, we need to ensure that we have reliable base funding so that we can do long-term strategic planning.

“In 2015-16, the Government increased base weed management funding to $1.2m per annum, up from $759,000 in 2014-15, and $513,000 in 2013-14. This funding now makes up 79% of the total budget of $1.526 million, two years ago ongoing base funding was only 22% of the weeds funding.

“We know that a successful management strategy must look to the longer term, with sites regularly re-treated to ensure infestations are kept under control, which is why the Government has changed its approach to funding, allowing ongoing surety of funding for projects rather than funding for particular weed infestation problems.

“This year’s budget also saw a boost to funding for ParkCare, whose volunteers make a significant contribution to weed management in the territory.

“TAMS, in conjunction with ParkCare groups, will deliver $1.526 million of environmental weed control work throughout the Territory – focusing on priority species for control such as serrated tussock, St John’s wort, blackberry, African lovegrass and Chilean needle grass.

“The Government has also committed $2.678 million over four years in response to recommendations from the Auditor-General’s Report into the Restoration of the Lower Cotter Catchment for land management in the catchment.

“This Government recognises that an effective weed control program is an important element of its land management effort and will continue to strengthen the resilience of our natural environment by controlling environmental weeds.