Title: NSW swamp closure renewed due to alligator weed
[ABC News 15 Dec 2010] -- The Griffith
City Council has supported a request to renew the closure of Barren Box Swamp
for another three years. The swamp was closed in 1995 when alligator weed was
first found. If it escapes from the swamp and nearby waterways, alligator weed
could threaten the irrigation industry in the southern Murray Darling basin.
More than three million dollars has been spent trying to eradicate the weed to
date but the Mayor of Griffith Mike Neville believes the state will have to
spend more.
"It's been an ongoing thing that's a bit of a concern," said the mayor.
"The big issue I think to council, from the thoughts mentioned last night,
was really about the funding aspect of it from I and I. (Industry and Investment
NSW). So that'll be interesting whether or not that will be forthcoming," said
Councillor Neville.