Council to spray alligator weed

Gosford Council will spray alligator weed at Melaleuca wetland on Wednesday and Thursday, May 5 and 6.

Council's weed officer Mr Ed Lanting said the Council would be using a combination of herbicide and organic methods to bring the weed under control.

The flea beetle, which has been present in the local wetland since 1980, will be used to control some areas of the infestation where it has proven effective in the past.

"They eat away at the canopy of the weed," he said.

"They are already working away at it.

"By November or December next year, depending on what kind of summer we have, it should start to decrease."

Other areas where the weed has grown out of control will be sprayed.

Mr Lanting said the he would be working with local bushcare groups to help protect local flora.

"The kind of spray we use doesn't hurt animals at all but it will kill anything you spray it on."

He said Council would have to use plastic bags to protect local flora, while they spray.

"The bushcare group will be helpful in identifying small plants to protect from the spray."

"But you have to weigh up the costs of having the weed which will suffocate them permanently anyway," he said.

The Melaleuca Bushcare regeneration group has been informed about precautionary measures to take to prevent the spread of the noxious weed and the area will be signposted to warn people about walking in the wetland.

Everglades's golf course, which is near the wetland, is also affected by the plant infestation.

"We have an ongoing program at the golf course and work with them twice a year to control the weed," Mr Lanting said.

"At present there is no effective method to eradicate the weed, you can only control it.

"When it comes under control will depend on the root system, we will spray twice yearly for as long as it takes to control it."

"We are trying not to spread the weed any further and to reduce its density.

"It's a long term process.

"I'd like to say it will be under control by next summer but I know that's not going to happen."

The action comes two weeks after Cr Chris Holstein asked the Director of Environmental Planning a question without notice at Gosford Council about progress on the alligator weed problem at Ettalong.

"Can I please be advised of the current status of the application to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for the removal of the alligator weed at Ettalong?" he asked.

"What will the timetable of action to address the problem?"

After the April 27 Council meeting, Director of Engineering Operations Mr Stephen Glen said that the Council would be taking action in the near future.

He said that five weeks ago the Council had contacted the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to obtain a licence to spray the alligator week.

The department informed the Council that a licence was not necessary and Council could undertake the work independently.

Alison Branley, April 28