Victorian farmers have welcomed more money for pest and weed control.
Currently, eligible rural councils can receive up to $75,000 per year to manage invasive plants and pests.
The federal government is now providing $500,000 to drought affected Victorian councils to control rabbit and weed infestations on country roadsides.
Federal Agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce, and Victorian Agriculture minister Jaala Pulford, said the the money would be used to top up the state’s $2.6 million Roadside Weeds and Pest Management program.
Victorian Farmers Federation land management chair Gerald Leach said roadsides were key corridors for the spread of pests and weeds.
“These efforts provide much needed funding to rural councils in delivering their roadside weed and pest control obligations,” Mr Leach said.
“But more funding and landholder engagement programs are required for effective weed and pest control.
“Allowing infestations to take hold places a significant cost and resource burden on the farmer, impacting agricultural production and the broader environment.”
Local councils were responsible under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act) to manage noxious weeds and established pest animals on roadsides.
The VFF believed councils would be more effective if they engage adjoining farmers as a resource to assist in pest and weed control.
Farmers could be engaged as a resource under simple agreements with local councils.
“The reality is rural councils need more resources to tackle thousands of kilometres of remote roadsides,” Mr Leach said.
“Given the significant cost burden weeds management has on agricultural production we need to innovatively re-think how we control roadside pests and weeds.
Mr Joyce said managing pests and weeds had a significant impact on the productivity and profitability of agricultural industries, it was estimated that weed management costs Australian farmers more than $3 billion every single year.
“This funding will help the Victorian government invest additional funds into drought affected councils to provide additional on-ground control of rabbits and weeds such as blackberry and gorse.”
Ms Pulford said the Victorian Government recognised the impact of weeds and pests on regional and rural councils was exacerbated during times of drought.
“That's why, after listening to their feedback, we've extended the list of eligible weeds, ensuring funding is responding to need on the ground,” Ms Pulford said.
"By supporting councils in managing local roadsides, we are helping to limit the harmful impact of weeds and pests on the farm sector, the environment and our economy.
"Tackling roadside weeds and pests is particularly important during drought, and this additional funding will help farmers to control weeds and pests moving onto their already drought affected properties.”
The Australian Government had a range of support measures available for farmers and rural communities experiencing drought and other hardship, including concessional loans, income support through the Farm Household Allowance, and free financial counselling through the Rural Financial Counselling Service. For more information, visit agriculture.gov.au/assistance.
