I am happy to report that the State government is moving to add Galvanised burr to the Noxious Weeds list in an effort to help farmers reign over the invasive weed.

Many farmers are all too familiar with Galvanised burr and the headaches it creates for those trying to stamp it out.

For rotational croppers in marginal country, who only receive adequate rain to crop every second or third year, Galvanised burr is a nuisance, invading paddocks between rotations.

Because of Galvanised burr’s threat to agriculture, I have asked the NSW Department of Primary Industries to start the process of having the burr declared a noxious weed in areas where it impacts on primary production.

Weed attack’s $7.89m boost

A total of $7.89 million is being invested in noxious weed control across NSW this financial year.

The funding is being allocated to local councils and other weed control authorities to tackle weed issues at the local level.

This latest round of State Government Noxious Weeds Grants will help local government, county councils and regional weed advisory committees deal with weeds in their own areas.

The grants, which are going out to councils across NSW, will be used to finance noxious weed control campaigns, community education programs, combat new weed incursions and train weed officers.

Investigating rural land use

The NSW Government will establish an independent inquiry into rural land use in the Central West to listen to the community and local councils.

An independent panel of four experts, to be headed by former National Party Minister and local member, Garry West, will invite community members to public hearings in the region over the next three months.

It is widely known that agriculture is the backbone of the NSW economy and should be protected for the future, and as a result, I believe it is critical that any long-term decisions affecting the land be carefully considered.

The panel will be supported by a stakeholder reference group including the mayors of all 13 Central West Councils and also relevant government agencies.

The panel is expected to complete its review by mid-year and report back to the NSW government.