A local environmental action group is on the march against the spread of feral weeds along the banks of the Georges River.
Ten years since it was founded as Liverpool Action Group (LAG), it is now a very active organisation calling itself LAG Environment Group.
Backed with government and private funding over five years, members of LAG Environment Group have recently launched an attack on weeds at Chauvel Park, Chipping Norton, on the banks of the Georges River.
“Feral woody weeds, like lantana, have inundated hectares of riverside woodland and scrub to the point where the bush can no longer regenerate naturally without immediate restoration works,’’ says LAG secretary Ian Bailey.
“Using hand held power tools it is possible to remove large areas of woody weeds very quickly.
“Another benefit of an independent working group is that members could attend more frequently as some members are semi retired or self employed,’’ Mr Bailey said.
This project goes back to a 40 page booklet entitled Plan to Restore Environmental Assets, which was prepared by LAG’s environment officer Bob Storey and presented to three levels of government with a request for funding over a five year period, 2014 to 2019.
“The NSW Government agreed to a grant earlier this year which will make it possible to purchase a few power tools and plant 2,000 to 3,000 trees and shrubs by the end of summer 2016,’’ Mr Bailey said.
“We also received generous donations from local companies and LAG members.’’
In the past few days a group of LAG members have been working a half day per month under Liverpool Council’s volunteer program at Chauvel Park and will continue to do so until the project is complete.
Liverpool Council’s environment management team have assisted in ensuring that the group have all the correct indemnity in place while working on public land, and council parks and gardens staff will support LAG in removing any noxious waste.
“The committee and members of Liverpool Action Group are confident that a plan of bush restoration as good as any in the country will be put in place and objectives achieved over time,’’ Mr Bailey said.
“A thorough audit of the natural flora and fauna has been documented, work will be done in a way sensitive to preserving what is already on the river bank and in the long term, we would hope that the Georges River corridor can connect and become a part of the Georges River National Park.’’
LAG Environment Group meetings are held on the second Saturday each month February to November at the Liverpool City Library at 12.30pm. All welcome.
Any local residents who want to join the group, please contact the secretary, Ian Bailey on 9821 4284 or email him at ibails@bigpond.net.au.
