Title: Impact of weeds costs NSW producers $700 million
[Walcha News 03 Aug 2011] -- The Northern Inland Weeds Advisory Committee (NIWAC) has congratulated the Department of Primary Industry and organisers of the 16th NSW Weed Conference with the theme of “Making a difference from country to coast” held at Coffs Harbour from July 18 - 21. NIWAC chairwoman and local councillor Maria Woods said that the conference brought together weed professionals and experts from various spheres of Government, market leaders and scientific research to discuss past and emerging issues surrounding weed control and management. With the impact of weeds costing the Australian economy billions of dollars per year and NSW some $700 million annually, the conference highlighted the importance and substantial challenges in reducing the impact of weeds.
The conference was opened by Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson, who was followed by keynote speakers Professor Jim Pratley, Charles Sturt University and John Kerin OAM, who spoke on national research, policy and perspectives on weed management. Other sessions included strategic planning, reform and improvements to weed management, education programs, new weed issues and incursions, garden escapes, case studies of on ground programs, weed threats to biodiversity, strategic approaches to weed management, weed management technologies and weed partnerships.
In the concluding session of the conference, Ms Woods provided an overview of the Noxious Weeds Advisory Committees activities with other speakers updating delegates on the NSW Weeds Action Program implementation and reporting requirements.
The NIWAC region was well represented at the conference by weed officers from all local member councils, with presentations made on tropical soda apple by Josh Biddle (New England), the Border Rivers Gwydir Weeds of National Significance project by Jonathon Lawson and James Browning, senior weeds officer (New England).
“A highlight was the Stephenson Award for outstanding contribution to planning and coordinating weed management programs in NSW to Les Tanner,” Ms Woods said.
“Overall, there were some 250 delegates who attended the conference which proved to be a most valuable opportunity for them to not only hear of the latest developments in weed research, management and control techniques but also served as a valuable opportunity to network and exchange ideas amongst other weed professionals.”