Have your say on water hyacinth management strategy

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) is calling on the community to have their say on the draft management strategy for water hyacinth, one of Australia's most damaging weeds.

"Water hyacinth was recently declared as one of 12 new Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) due to its economic, environmental and social impacts as well as its potential to spread,” said NSW DPI Manager Invasive Species Program John Tracey.

“New South Wales will be the lead state for implementing this national strategic plan, which aims to restrict the spread of water hyacinth and reduce the impact of current infestations.

“The national strategic plan identifies a range of actions to reduce both the impacts of water hyacinth and help prevent its spread,” Mr Tracey said.

“We are seeking public comment on the draft national strategy by 16 July.

“This is an opportunity for people who value our waterways to have a say on how we can help protect them from this aquatic invader.”

National Aquatic Weeds Coordinator Andrew Petroeschevsky based at NSW DPI’s Grafton Weeds Unit said water hyacinth was introduced into Australia as an ornamental aquatic plant and due to its invasive nature it has since spread to many waterways from North Queensland to Victoria.

“Water hyacinth is an invasive weed that threatens waterways and wetlands across Australia,” Mr Petroeschevsky said.

“It is regarded by many weed experts as one of the world’s worst aquatic weeds as it forms dense and impenetrable floating mats on the water’s surface. These mats can completely cover the entire waters surface, affecting fish, birdlife and native plants, and restrict access on the water.

“The weed can also transpire large amounts of water causing significant loss from a water body.

“Water hyacinth is found along much of coastal NSW from the Queensland Border to the Illawarra district and there are scattered infestations in the Murray Darling Basin that have significant potential for further spread and impact.

“It has been mostly spread through its ornamental use. Despite water hyacinth being a noxious weed it is still used in fishponds and farm dams and this risks causing new infestations.”

The draft strategic plan for water hyacinth and feedback form are available at www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/waterhyacinth/

Full consideration of consultation feedback will be undertaken and the strategic plan will be finalised for submission to the Australian Weeds Committee in September 2012.

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