The Agricultural Minister Dugald Saunders has announced $2.6million dollars of Hudson Pear funding with 600k being available immediately, and the rest over 4 years (subject to the upcoming state election??). This money is to be managed by NSW Local Land Services headed by Pete Dawson. We are awaiting more details on how and when the money will be spent.

The announcement is a positive first step, though there was no stakeholder consultation what so ever, and the Minister ruled out subsidised/free chemical for landholders, community groups or land-manager groups. Likewise dedicated positions to spray on any land title was ruled out by the Agricultural Minister. Also of note was that the Minister did not meet with any key stakeholders or visit their effected properties when he visited Lightning Ridge.

Barwon Independent Roy Butler however did meet with farmers and key stakeholders on the same day and expressed the view that the the $2.6 million dollar announcement is not nearly enough to address the seriousness of Hudson Pear spreading into Narran Lakes Nature Reserve and the Murray Darling Basin.

Going forward we have invited the opposition shadow Agricultural Minister Mick Veitch to visit the area and engage with stakeholders and be apart of some meaningful dialogue.