Liberals pledge weed cash

By Russell Bennett
LA TROBE MP Jason Wood has promised $3 million to boost weed and fuel reduction in the Dandenong Ranges if the Opposition wins the federal election.
Mr Wood had previously promised an almost identical financial commitment leading into the 2007 federal election.
The Black Saturday bushfires helped highlight the fuel reduction issue that, according to Mr Wood, has been around for decades.
“One of the big issues that keeps coming up is fuel reduction, even going back to the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires,” Mr Wood said.
Mr Wood said that he had already spoken to Greg Hunt, opposition environment spokesman, on the issue.
“If we’re elected, we will be onto this immediately,” he said.
“We want action to start before this upcoming bushfire season.”
“The really disappointing aspect of this is that we made the same announcement last time and called for the Government to match it.”
“This time, I would like it in writing from the Government that they’re actually going to honour their commitment to do something for weed control and fuel reduction in the Dandenong Ranges.”
Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group (DRCBG) president Jo Hurst said the group welcomed Mr Wood’s announcement.
“Fuel reduction, encompassing weed removal such as blackberries and ivy, would assist in reducing roadside fuel,” she said.
“DRCBG would welcome the establishment and ongoing maintenance of existing and future fuel breaks.”
Upper Yarra and Dandenongs Environment Council (UYDEC) Secretary Ian Johnston noted the significance of the weeds announcement.
“There’s something like 150 different weed species and part of the tragedy is that people don’t even recognise a weed,” he said.
“They come up here, everything is green.” We can talk about weeds and how they’re bad but this area is not only the lungs of Melbourne, it’s the kidneys as well.”