[Shepparton News 29 Oct. 2011, p. 13] -- A Longwood landowner has been ordered to pay $500 to the local Landcare group and placed under a six-month good behaviour order for failing to control the weed blackberry on his property. In November 2008, the Victorian Department of Primary Industries began a compliance project targeting the regionally controlled blackberry in the Longwood-Ruffy area. The project included more than 180 properties. DPI biosecurity officer Jaye Caldwell said a land management notice was served in June last year, requiring the landowner to prevent the growth and spread of blackberry on his property. Reinspection of the property in February found no blackberry control activities had been completed and DPI employed a spray contractor to treat the infestations. "If left untreated, the Longwood property would have compromised the extensive efforts of surrounding landowners," Mr Caldwell said. The matter was heard in Seymour Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where the landowner pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to comply with a land management notice.
Article: WeedsNews2438 (permalink) Date: 29 October 2011; 8:54:33 PM AEDT