A Grandchester resident is on a mission to rid the Ipswich and Scenic Rim regions of noxious weeds.
Michael O’Donoghue has done a letterbox drop around the area to inform residents about the danger of letting noxious weeds continue to grow out of control.
He believes the best way to address the issue is by communicating with land owners.
“I feel as though the problem with weeds is well addressed in the Lockyer and Somerset council areas, it is the Ipswich and Scenic Rim council that are letting us down,” he said.
“As a resident of Grandchester, I see what is going on in my local area, and I think that our Ipswich City Council Councillors and Mayor have a responsibility to also know what is going on.”
Michael said he has approached council to ask that it consider completely revising it’s approach to invasive weeds.
“Currently fireweed is spreading at an unprecedented rate throughout the Ipswich local government area and on council land, including on Bakers Road Grandchester where my property is located,” he said.
“I have been concerned about the council’s role for quite some time as a result in September 2015 my wife Cathy and I met with the then councillors David Pahlke and Charlie Pisasale to discuss the rapid spread of fireweed.
“As a result of this meeting we were told that there were no resources to address our concerns.
“In 2016 as community angst about fireweed increased, the ICC started issuing fines to landholders with fireweed and these fines caused outrage and enforcement was soon abandoned.
“When the Biosecurity Act 2014 came into effect in July 2016, David Pahlke, a long serving and well-regarded councillor, stated in press articles that the new Act imposed new responsibilities on local government without resourcing or funding.
“He was mistaken and he appeared to be unaware of the lengthy history of local government responsibility for pest weed management.
“I have made numerous enquiries and submitted a Right to Access and amend information to the council about their Pest Management Plan 2010-2014, as far as I can ascertain the Plan was not implemented.”
It was, according to Mr O’Donoghue, a case of ratepayer’s money being spent with nothing in return.
“ICC inactivity on pest management is an inexplicable system failure and pest management appears to have dropped off the list of priorities to the detriment of the ratepayers.
“In my opinion, the council must make reparation for its years of neglect.”
Mr O’Donoghue added that the council has the largest landholding in the local government area with more than 6,500 hectares of reserves and conservation estates plus numerous road corridors where fireweed, lantana, mother-of-millions and asparagus fern are particularly prevalent.
“These four weeds are not ordinary harmless plants, they are on the list of the 32 Weeds of National Significance and this listing has the concurrence of all of the states and the Commonwealth,” he said.
“In addition, the council is required to regulate invasive biosecurity matter in accordance with the legislation, this compliance role is a delicate matter given that the council has infestations on its own land.
“It has no moral authority to be heavy handed and there needs to be a collaborative approach in consultation with landholders.”
Mr O’Donoghue said he regularly meets with landholders in the Mt Mort, Grandchester, Calvert, Purga and Lower Mt Walker areas, many of whom have only a vague understanding of their obligation with respect to weeds.
“The message is just not getting through,” he said.
“I have had discussions with Crs Sheila Ireland and Jacob Madsen and with Council officer Haiden Taylor on some relevant matters.
“These discussions are ongoing and generally constructive.
“There needs to be face to face engagement with people in the rural areas to explain that they must take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants under their control.”
But he says the council should begin by setting a good example through destroying the invasive weeds along the road corridors.
“There needs to be a push from council about how to maintain all weeds that may become invasive and a pest to neighbouring properties.”
