Port Stephens Council will receive more than $160,000 to fight its war on weeds, thanks to grants from the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

The grants were announced this morning by Catherine Cusack MLC at Riverside Park in Raymond Terrace, where $33,500 will go towards controlling aquatic weeds.

“Aquatic weeds such as Alligator weed, Water Hyacinth, and Giant Salvinia all have the ability to rapidly cover the water’s surface and if left un-managed can become a major problem in a very short space of time,” said Ms Cusack.

“They also have the ability to reduce the amenity of waterways, reduce agricultural access to the water for irrigation and for stock, and reduce the habitat for our precious native fauna.”

Mayor Ryan Palmer says the funds will go towards protecting Port Stephens’ precious environment.

“Weeds aren’t the sexiest topic and getting people to pay attention to the

damage they cause is a big challenge.

“But once you start to learn why plants like Chinese Violet, Giant Salvinia and Alligator weed are considered a biosecurity risk, it’s alarming how often you’ll recognise them lurking in our precious environment,” Mayor Palmer said.

“These grants will be used to continue our war on weeds across Port Stephens, so that we can protect and enhance the beautiful natural environment we’re so lucky to have.”

Port Stephens Council successfully applied for seven grants totalling $160,000 to tackle weeds across the local government area, including:

• Bitou bush at Neil Carroll Park, Nelson Bay
• Chinese violet, coastal areas of Port Stephens
• Long-leaf willow primrose, coastal areas of Port Stephens
• Alligator weed, water hyacinth and giant salvinia in the Hunter, Paterson and Williams rivers, as well as throughout Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace
• Biosecurity weed control along Lemon Tree Passage foreshore
• Dune and koala habitat restoration at One Mile Beach
• Controlling of weeds at Glen Oak Crown Land Reserve

For more information about weeds in Port Stephens, visit our weeds and pests website pages.