11 December 2003
Press release

Council asks residents to target invasive weeds over summer

Waitakere City Council is urging residents to join the fight to rid the City of environmental weeds this summer.

It is offering assistance to people wanting to remove weeds from their property, providing information on targeting specific species, community assistance funding for clearing major weed infestations and replanting advice and assistance. Free bags are available for the removal of ginger.

A nine square metre bin is also available free of charge (conditions apply). Weeds spread easily between properties, so to reduce the chance of re-invasion, the Council suggests neighbours work together to fill a bin.

High on the weed removal priority list is privet – an invasive environmental weed that competes for space with native plants. Each plant produces thousands of seeds, which are quickly and easily dispersed. Privet is also notorious for aggravating hayfever and asthma.

Privet is often found on roadsides, bush and stream edges and amongst hedges. There are two varieties – tree privet and the smaller Chinese privet.

Summer is an ideal time to kill privet plants, before the flowers turn into seeds. Smaller plants can be pulled out by hand, but larger trees will need to be cut down. Herbicide, such as Roundup or Vigilant, should be applied to the freshly cut stump to prevent it from re-sprouting.

The Council is also working to remove weeds on public land. There are currently 19 weed species being targeted on roadsides in the City’s urban areas, 82 in rural areas and 240 in the central Scenic Drive area.

Thirteen bush reserves are also receiving comprehensive weed control this year and the Council has a programme to respond to public requests for weed removal on local parks.

For more information, phone the Council’s 24-hour Call Centre on 839 0400 or visit the City’s website www.waitakere.govt.nz

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