--- = ----* -- ---*-- - I---& - I..-*-* - 1 -a1 - ..." --* - ---mI*- 7 NSW ilgriculturc - MAJOR SPONSORS Dow AgroSciences Harrington Holiday Park Macspred Du Pont Australia North Coast Town & Country Noxious Weeds Officers Association Civic View Vee Dri (Australia) Pty Ltd Greater Taree City Council NSW Agriculture CONFERENCE PROGRAM/PAPERS TABLE OF CONTENTS A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR FOREWORD FROM MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES A POTTED HISTORY OF THE BIENNIAL NOXIOUS WEEDS CONFERENCE NOXIOUS WEEDS OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS REPORT THE 12" BIENNIAL NOXIOUS WEEDS CONFERENCE - PROGRAM EVALUATION FORM (LOOSE LEAF) MAPS Taree & Expo Site INFORMATION Expo Exhibitors Information CONFERENCE PAPERS (Colour Coded) - Tuesday Yellow - Wednesday Green - Thursday Blue - Unpresented Papers White - Competition Sketches White THIS CONFERENCE ISPROUDLY HOSTED BY GREATER TAREE CITY COUNCIL NS W AGRICULTURE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR WELCOME FROM GREATER TAREE CITY MAYOR It is my great pleasure to extend a very warm welcome to delegates and partners attending the i 2')' NSW Biennial Noxious Weeds Conference and Expo here in Turee. Greater Taree City Coi~ncilis delighted and proud to host this important conference and we hope that all delegates gain from the experience and have a pleasant stay in this beautiful part of New South Wales. Our Council's area covers some 3,753 square kilometres, has a population of approximately 45,000 and includes mountain rainforests, rich agricultural flood plains, the magnificent Manning River and a 50 kilornetre coastal strip. I am sure you will be pleased with the venues for the various components of program and will take advcrntage of the opportunity to venture into the s~-~:.rounding areas an the half day field trip:;. The Mt~nningEl-.,ter,tainrner Centre, 1-he conference veril.;e, is a 500 tiered seal. ftielzt:'.e with excellent crrnenities. The conference dinner venue is the very popular Winning F':j~t Function Centre at 1'ureeiWingharn Race Course. An innovative feature of the conference is the aquatic and land-based displays on the banks of our magic Manning River. I know the organising committee has been working tirelessly to develop the program that promises to both stimulate and challenge. I am confident that the combination of conference program, field trips and expo will deliver both objectives in an unparal!eled setting. The 1 2rh NSW Biennial Noxious Weeds Conference is an opportunity for environmental and noxious weed professionals involved in land management, rural and urban environments, to come together and learn in the spirit of fellowship and good will. Welcome again. I hope you all enjoy the conference and expo and take home with you many fond memories of our Manning Valley. CR MlCK TUCK MAYOR CITY OF GREATER TAREE Administration Centre - 2 Pulteney Street . PO Box 482 . Taree NSW 2430 Phone 02 6592 5301 Fax 02 6592 5311 Minister for Agriculture Foreword - 12" Biennial Noxious Weeds Conference Proceedings Weeds are a major and costly issue when it comes to protecting our natural resources. In order to control these unwanted plants we need to constantly update our knowledge and seek improved management techniques. Successful weed management requires more than simply controlling the plants on the ground. It also requires planning, education, training, cooperation and knowledge. Conferences such as this one are a vital part of sharing information, experiences and views from a cross-section of those involved in weed management. The fact that this is the 12'~such symposium demonstrates its relevance and importance as a weed management forum. The program includes topics and demonstrations that cover weed control in many systems and environments and includes presentations from researchers, weed control officers and those managing the processes behind the on-ground activities. These people have a wealth of knowledge and experience that will provide a valuable resource for future reference. I urge you to make the most of this opportunity to gain information, forge networks and share your experiences so that the whole community can benefit. IAN MACDONALD MLC NSW MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES A SHORT HISTORY OF BIENNIAL NOXIOUS WEED CONFERENCES The "Biennial Noxious Weeds Conferences" were preceded by "Weed Schools" of which the first was held at Hawkesbury Agricultural College in 1971. The attendance was in the order of 50 weeds officers As the popularity of the Weed Schools grew the organisers needed to find facilities capable of taking the larger numbers. At the Weed School at Orange in 1979 the organisers were forced to restrict attendance to 90 as this was the limit of the auditorium. The growth in the numbers wishing to attend and the attraction for people involved in noxious weed control other than council inspectors lead to the decision to rename the functions as Biennial Noxious Plant Conferences. It was also considered that the new title would more accurately describe the increased standing of the function and provide an increased incentive for people to attend. With the introduction of the new Weeds Act 1993 the word "Plants" was changed to "Weeds" The initial Noxious Plants Conference, which was organised by Hugh Milvain, was held at Wagga Agricultural College in 1981. The Conferences are now recognised as the premier noxious weed forum in the state and are well recognised in other states. There has been a steadily increasing attendance from government agencies and commercial companies. Attendance of interstate delegates has become a regular practice and there have also been international delegates. The attendance at the Ballina Conference in 1999 was 325 delegates Initially the forum were organised largely by NSW Agriculture officers but over time there has come a greater input from weed officers in the host council's region. This input by weed officers now ensures that the conferences are closely aligned to the requirements their profession. The increased attendances have been recognised by many councils which now realise the benefits that a conference brings to their community. Consequently, NSW Agriculture now invites councils to apply to hold the next conference in their town and to carry out the substantial part of the organisation. This partnership between the host council and NSW Agriculture worked very well at Moama in 2001 and will continue with success at Taree in 2003. Much of the work is now done by an organising committee made up of host council officers, weeds officers from other councils in the region and officers of NSW Agriculture Many councils have developed the expertise for organising well planned conferences. In partnership with NSW Agriculture, the continual success of Biennial Noxious Weeds Conferences is assured. Biennial Noxious Weeds Conferences Weed Schools Richmond Hawkesbury ----Agricultural College Paterson C B Alexander Paterson Orange Agricultural Biennial Conferences Wagga Wagga Wagga Agricultural Hugh Milvain University of New Derek Brown Australian National Peter Gorham Agricultural College 5'h 1989 July Lismore Southern Cross Robert Dyason I University I 6'" 1991 May Leeton Soldiers Club Hugh Milvain I 71h 1993 April Foster Forster Services Club Geoff Keech 8th 1995 I September I Goulburn I Police Academy Peter Gorham gth 1997 September Dubbo Dubbo RSL Club Peter Gray 1 oth 1999 July Ballina Ballina RSL Club Regional Organising Committee 1 lth 2001 September Moama Moama Services Regional Club Organising Committee - -- 1 2th 2003 July Taree Manning Regional Entertainment Centre Organising Committee Peter Gray Noxious Plants Advisory Officer NS W Agriculture Dubbo C:\Weeds Conlerenee 2003Wisloy oTConferenm.doc Fellow Weeds Officers, other Associates of our industry, it does not seem almost two years since our last Conference in Moama. Now we have gathered for the 1 2'h Biannual Noxious Weeds Conference and Expo in Taree. The past twelve months have been very harsh to New South Wales with drought and bushfires, but with our Aussie fighting spirit, we will come through these setbacks and rise to greater heights with favourable weather conditions. While some areas have turned the corner, others are still waiting and hoping their turn is not far away. During this period, Weeds Officers have taken leave, been asked to take leave, or performed other duties within Council. With the drought conditions widespread across the state for most of the year, not a great deal has been happening in weed control. But some of the highs have been: + An open invitation was extended to the Association Officials to meet with Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee as issues arise. + A further twenty five Weeds Officers graduated through Tocal College in April 2003. + Six Officers graduated with a Diploma in Conservation Land ManagementIWeeds, believed to be the first under the National package. + Membership numbers have had a slight increase, but we would be happier with further increases in these numbers. + The Association is a major sponsor of the 12'~Biennial Conference and Expo, believed to be a first for us and hoping to continue our support to the Biennial Conference to further promote our Association. + (Not sure if this is a high or low, but..) as of 1'' September 2003 the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2000 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2001, will be in force in every workplace in NSW and if not complied with, heavy fines may be imposed on both the Corporation and Individuals. Be Aware!! Work Safe!! In the future I look forward