Have Your Say on Weeds Management in the Central Tablelands

Central Tablelands Local Land Services is encouraging interested individuals and organisations to have their say on the draft Central Tablelands Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan.

Central Tablelands Local Land Services Acting Chair Ian Rogan said the plan will guide resource allocation and investment in each region and will provide a consistent basis for regional planning and delivery.

“The consultation period is an opportunity for stakeholders, organisations and interested community members to provide feedback on the management of weeds in our region and across the State,” Mr Rogan said.

“The local councils, NSW Farmers and government authorities have contributed to the draft Plan. We know that our community is very concerned about both new and established weeds so this is an opportunity to have a say,” Mr Rogan said.

“The plan is available at open.lls.nsw.gov.au and submissions can be made online until 8 March.”

Regional Weed Committees have been established under the Local Land Services Act 2013 and are in operation around the State.  Membership includes representatives from major stakeholder groups.

The draft Central Tablelands Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan has been developed collaboratively with the Central Tablelands Regional Weed Committee and Central Tablelands Local Land Services. The plan contains established strategies and actions to achieve goals that focus on shared responsibility for weed management, sustainable landscapes and collaborative leadership and innovation.

The Biosecurity Act 2015 adopts the concept of a general biosecurity duty. It means that anyone who is aware of a potential risk should take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise or eliminate that risk. The draft Central Tablelands Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan is a direct response to this legislative reform.

The primary outcome of the weed reform process will be the integration of weed management efforts across the State. For the first time in NSW, there will be a set of agreed priorities and actions which apply across both public and private land. Increased collaboration in the management of weeds will improve biosecurity outcomes and increase agricultural productivity.

Copies of the regional plans, fact sheets, frequently asked questions, and feedback forms are available on the Local Land Services Open website.

Have You Seen a Koala in the Bathurst Region? We'd Love to Hear About It.

Mayor of Bathurst Cr Gary Rush said Bathurst Regional Council is encouraging all residents and visitors to report any koala sightings across the local government
area.

“Council has received funding through the Central Tablelands Local Land
Services in conjunction with the Environment & Waterways Alliance to assist with a koala conservation program, and to raise awareness of the vulnerable status of the koala.

“Koalas are listed as vulnerable under both state and federal environmental
legislation. They are dependent on specific species of Eucalypt trees for
food, which also provide protection from predators and harsh weather. The
major threat to the koala is therefore the loss of habitat through the
clearing of Eucalypts, but also fire, drought, disease, road deaths and
predation by dogs.

“Reporting sightings will help improve our understanding of our local koala
populations and help contribute to the management of this species. Any
other threatened or uncommon animal or plant can also be reported to
Council.

“It is simple to take part, any sightings can be logged with Council via a
form on our website.  In recent months we havehad koala sightings at
Rockley Mount, Gormans Hill, The Lagoon and Perthville,” Cr Rush said.

For a copy of the form to report native wildlife or plants, and for further
details visit:
https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/threatened-species.html

How you can help conserve koalas:
   ·    Keep native vegetation on your property
   ·    Plant local koala habitat trees on your property
   ·    Report koala sightings to Council
   ·    Join a community tree planting day
   ·    Remove fencing or install koala friendly fencing
   ·    Drive slowly and carefully at night as koalas are nocturnal

Image courtesy of DJM Australia Photography

Wet Weather a Bonus for Tree Planting Projects

It’s been a bumper year for native tree planting across Bathurst.

This year, Bathurst Regional Council has taken advantage of the wet weather
to plant in excess of 7000 native trees, shrubs and grasses throughout our
parks, and alongside creeks and the Macquarie River.

Mayor of Bathurst Cr Gary Rush said the plantings will assist in providing
habitat for native wildlife, and increasing the biodiversity values of the
Bathurst region.

“Key projects in 2016 have included the revegetation of the banks of the
Macquarie River in Jubilee Park on Ophir Road, and the project in Rankens
Bridge Park to restore Regent Honeyeater habitat.

“Volunteers have also worked hard during community planting days to
revegetate Jordan Creek in Blayney Road Common with native habitat.

“Over the summer months, the focus will turn to watering and weeding these
plantings to ensure their survival through the summer months.

“On behalf of Council I would like to extend our thanks to the many
volunteers who have dedicated their time to assist with this year’s tree
planting and maintenance program,” Cr Rush said

For more information on Council’s tree planning program or to get involved
visit:

https://www.facebook.com/sustainablebathurst/