Indigo Shire Council is calling on landowners to participate in its weeds program designed to continue vital work in assisting landholders to manage weeds along roadsides.

Indigo Shire Council Mayor Cr Peter Graham said the program had been successfully implemented for the past four years and Council would provide chemicals to Landcare groups and individuals for approved weed control on roadsides.

He said landholders had until 4^th September 2006 to lodge their application and due to the popularity of this program funds were limited, therefore not all applications would be able to be approved. 

“In turn, preference will be given to applications that are joint applications with adjacent neighbours, that follow up on spraying undertaken last year or where control on adjacent private property is or has occurred,” he said.

“Approval may not be given to applications that have insufficient or incomplete information or where assessment has determined that previous participation did not achieve a satisfactory result because the chemical supplied was not used, or used indiscriminately.”

Collectively, the initiative aims to:

·        Encourage and support participation in the control of weeds on roadsides;

·        Prevent further degradation by the spread of weeds on roadsides and adjacent land;

·        Reduce the haven for pest animals such as foxes and rabbits on roadsides;

·        Enhance communications between Indigo Shire Council and land managers; and

·        Enhance wildlife habitat and corridors on roadsides.

For help or further information please contact Indigo Shire Council Natural Resource Management Officer Shay Simpson on (02) 6028 1112 or Greg Johnson, Pest Management Officer on (02) 6043 7967.