DPI Media Release.
Pacific National (Victoria) Limited has been fined for failing to comply with a Land Management Notice.
Media release
From the Department of Primary Industries
Tuesday, 16th May 2006
RAIL COMPANY FINED $3000 FOR NOT CONTROLLING WEEDS
Pacific National (Victoria) Limited, manager of rail lines across the State, has been fined $3000 and ordered to pay $800 in costs in the Ballarat Magistrates court today, (Tuesday May 16).
The company was fined for failing to comply with a Land Management Notice issued for the control of the noxious weed Gorse in 2005, along a 50 kilometre section of rail land, between Ararat and Ballarat.
Department of Primary Industries Regulation Officer, Simon Martin , said the land within the rail reserve intersected several priority Gorse control target areas, established over a number of years by the Department and the Gorse Task Force.
“Rail lines are a very important weed spread pathway” he said.
Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority C.E.O, Colin Dunkley, says it’s critical all land managers play their part in the control of weeds such as gorse.
“Gorse is a regional priority weed and a weed of national significance,” Mr Dunkley said
"The Glenelg Hopkins CMA manages funding received from State and Federal government for the control of Gorse delivered through the community-based Gorse Task Force and the Department of Primary Industries.
“The CMA understands that such actions are necessary to support landholders who are doing the right thing and to see that government investment is used to best effect".
Tony Lovick, Department of Primary Industries Manager for the Pest Plants program said all involved had been working for some time on a ‘whole of line’ approach to the treatment of catchment priority weeds.
“This will be the first of many compliance actions to improve linear managers' response to our community supported weed control projects,” Mr Lovick said.
“DPI is involved in Gorse control projects around the State, and with the support of the Gorse Task Force has been successful in reducing the spread of Gorse through community led programs.”
For more information on the management of weeds, contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/weeds.