Salvinia clean-up targets hard-to-reach parts of Hawkesbury

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the Hawkesbury River County Council (HRCC) will shortly embark on a herbicide control program to treat isolated clumps of salvinia weed in hard-to-reach parts of the Hawkesbury River.

Dr Ken Archer, DPI Plant and Biosecurity Management, said this phase of the control program will focus on cleaning-up remaining pockets of weed that the mechanical harvesters have not been able reach, including weed along the river banks and in snags and vegetation.

"If left untreated, these bits of weed will only spread again and eventually reclaim parts of the Hawkesbury River," Dr Archer said.

"Our plan is to use a glyphosate-based herbicide designed specifically for aquatic weeds. Application will be directed at the plant and not open water."

Dr Archer said glyphosate-based herbicides have a long history of use for aquatic weed control both in Australia and overseas.

"The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority granted the NSW DPI a permit for the Hawkesbury River County Council to treat the remaining pockets of salvinia weed," Dr Archer said.

"The HRCC will carry out initial treatment between Pacific Park and Freemans Reach, starting on 6 September. The initial treatment should last about two weeks.

"The application of the herbicide will comply with legal requirements and will not exceed Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. There is no restriction on the use of water from the river for human consumption, irrigation or livestock watering.

"We will make every effort to ensure the public is informed of treatment operations through notices to landholders, residents and river stakeholder groups.

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"Notices will also be published in local newspapers, and river stakeholder groups will be informed of the herbicide operation as well.

"This treatment supplements the mechanical harvesting of salvinia in the Hawkesbury River, which began in late April.

"The harvesters have extracted about 1000 cubic metres of weed per day since harvesting began, and the river below the Windsor Bridge is now cleared and re-opened for public use."

The State and Federal Governments have each contributed $550,000 to the salvinia clean-up effort, for a total commitment of $1.1 million.

Media contact: Brett Fifield on (02) 6391 3311 or 0427 029 511.