Australian Weeds Committee - Newsletter No. 4. August 26, 2005 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Weeds Strategy Revision The following Media Release has been issued by the Chairman of the AWC for the information of all those fighting Australia's weed threat. New National Weeds Strategy Sought The body responsible for Australia’s continuing war on weeds is seeking new weapons to help win the fight. The Australian Weeds Committee, which represents all Australian governments, is revising the National Weeds Strategy, and is calling for public comment. “The strategy was agreed in 1997, and has now been largely implemented,” Committee Chair, Mr Don Hayman, said today. “As a result, it’s time to set new directions for national weed management.” Mr Hayman said the strategy aims to reduce the damage weeds cause to Australia’s productive capacity and natural ecosystems. “The National Weeds Strategy has greatly improved the way weeds are managed in Australia,” he said. “It has resulted in all Australian governments recognising the 20 Weeds of National Significance, and led to the development of management strategies and the appointment of national coordinators for each of these weeds. “Australian governments are currently considering a national invasive species framework for the broad management of invasive species, including pests, weeds and diseases (see http://www.nrm.gov.au or http://deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/review/index.html). “Governments are also looking at ways to enhance Australia’s Biosecurity status and limit the risks to primary industries, the environment, human health, food safety and the built environment. “The sheer size of the problem and its effect on Australia’s environmental and economic goals requires input from all sectors of the Australian public,” Mr Hayman said. “In recent weeks the Australian Weeds Committee has held a number of workshops to bring together issues for the new strategy. “The Committee will be releasing an Issues Paper on 19 September, as a forerunner to drawing up the new strategy and will be seeking public comments on the issues to be addressed in the new strategy by 7 October. Advertisements will be lodged in various newspapers telling people how to obtain a copy of the Issues Paper and where to send their submissions The Committee will be submitting the new strategy for Government approval early next year.” Further information: National Chairman Mr Don Hayman (02) 6391-3310 For State and Territory significance: ACT Mr Kerrin Styles (02) 6207 2264 NSW Dr Ken Archer (02) 6391 3152 NT Mr Brent Williams (08) 8999 4568 QLD Mr Bruce Wilson (07) 3405 5545 SA Mr Mark Ramsey (08) 8303 9530 TAS Mr Christian Goninon (03) 6233 3654 VIC Mr John Burley (03) 9637 8395 WA Mr Damian Collopy (08) 9780 6218 Contact - Secretariat - kdwyer@jta.com.au www.weeds.org.au/awcnews.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe to this newsletter or remove an existing subscription, please visit our subscription management facility at http://www.jta.com.au/mailman/listinfo/awcnewsletter/ Legal Notice - http://www.weeds.org.au/disclaimer.htm