Hughenden and Barcaldine will be hosting the Queensland Parliament’s Agriculture and Environment Committee next week, when it ventures west as part of its inquiry into the impacts of invasive plants (weeds) and their control in the state.
Prickly acacia and programs to eradicate it will be under the spotlight when public hearings and roundtables are held in each town.
Giant rat’s tail grass and fireweed are the other two invasive plant species being investigated.
After a hearing in Brisbane this Wednesday, June 14, the committee will be at Hughenden on June 19 and at Barcaldine on June 20
Committee chairman, the Member for Greenslopes, Joe Kelly, acknowledged that prickly acacia was a major threat to the state’s agriculture sector, as well as high value environmental areas.
“Prickly Acacia is one of three agricultural weeds we are looking at as case studies for our inquiry into the impact and control of invasive plants in Queensland,” Mr Kelly said.
“It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its economic and environmental impacts and potential to spread.”
At the public hearings the committee will hear about the effectiveness of control programs run by councils, NRM groups and Biosecurity Queensland, the agency charged with managing prickly acacia and other weeds in Queensland, including the development of bio-controls.
The committee will report its findings to the Queensland Parliament later this year.
The committee has published an information paper for the inquiry.
Timetable:
- Monday 19 June – Hughenden, Diggers Entertainment Centre: roundtable with stakeholders 12.30-1.30pm; public hearings 4.30-6.30pm
- Tuesday 20 June – Barcaldine, Town Hall: roundtable meeting with stakeholders 12-1.30pm; public hearings 2-3pm
Members of the public are welcome to attend.