MOORABOOL council says ratepayers will suffer “financial pain” as it is handed responsibility for roadside weed and rabbit control, with inadequate funding to cover costs.
Legislation that puts road managers in charge of prohibited and controlled weeds and pests was introduced in State Parliament late last month.
Moorabool has received annual funding of $31,706 for the past three years.
However, Pat Toohey said this was well below the estimated annual cost of between $150,000 and $200,000.
Cr Toohey said Moorabool had “no clarity” about future funding, with the last $32,000 payment to be made by June 2015.
“This amount is a mere drop in the ocean compared to the actual cost of removing and managing all regionally prohibited and regionally controlled infestations,’’ he said.
Cr Paul Tatchell called the changes “hypocritical and outrageous”.
“It’s a big paradox – farmers are being pressured by the local government already about weed control on their own properties and threatened with fines, while on the other side of their fence it’s the same problem.”
Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said it was simply a “move to end confusion”.
“Efforts to control roadsides have been hampered by years of confusion among local councils and private landowners.
‘‘[The government] makes it clear that local councils are responsible for developing roadside weed and pest control plans which, as road managers, they will also be required to implement.”
Cr Toohey said that after several wet seasons and extra grass growth, the funding would fall well short.
