Queensland’s opposition Environment spokesman Christian Rowan has called on the state government to provide funding certainty for landholders to continue their successful battle against prickly acacia at a crucial time.
Member for Gregory Lachlan Millar hosted Dr Rowan on a guided inspection with Desert Channels Qld staff, visiting Auteil and Leichhardt Farms in the Aramac district last week.
“Western Queensland’s Mitchell grass plains are one of Australia’s most iconic landscapes and since 1957 this declared noxious weed has been spreading uncontrollably across it,” said Mr Millar.
“It is hard to envisage damage on a 23 million ha scale, so it was great to have the shadow Minister come and see for himself.
“I think a good analogy is the Crown of Thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef. Prickly acacia has the same effect on this natural grass ecosystem and in the bad infestations we have lost 100 per cent of the grass,” he said.
Dr Rowan said the weed tree had gained such momentum that it looked like capturing the entire Lake Eyre catchment.
“You couldn’t design a better noxious weed for this ecosystem if you tried,” he said. “It is drought tolerant and the seeds have a long life.
“This is why persistence is critical now. Hopefully western Queensland is emerging from drought which is when prickly acacia can take off again. Uninterrupted funding is crucial.”
He said that in just three years DCQ had managed to kill 50 million trees with a 600 per cent increase in grass coverage, a 500pc increase in grass biomass and a 300pc increase in grass species.
“Over 140 hectares of native habitat has been restored and 600 kilometres of streamline vegetation has been protected.
“We must press on and DCQ needs to know the government will continue the funding so that staff can be retained.”
Mr Millar said a pause now would be disastrous.
“This is a great, unsung environmental story which most Australians would be unaware of. I call on the Queensland government to give the program continuing funding so it can achieve that goal.”
He said he would continue to press the issue with both the Minister for Biosecurity and the Minister for Natural Resources.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
