Tuesday, 7 February 2023

 Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (15:56): South-West Coast is home to some of Victoria’s most productive agricultural land and majestic national parks. I encourage all members of this house to hop in the car and drive west to see for themselves this wonderful part of Victoria. Unfortunately South-West Coast has experienced an explosion of pests and noxious weeds. Blackberry, gorse, boxthorn, serrated tussock, ragwort and Paterson’s curse abound on the sides of the roads and throughout the national parks. Colonies of rabbits and droves of wild pigs are destroying our beautiful native environment and fertile pastures. Foxes are killing and maiming livestock and native fauna alike. The explosion of pests and weeds is not just confined to South-West Coast, it is happening right across this great state. The Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 provides that all landholders, including the Crown, have responsibility for managing and controlling noxious weeds and pest animals. Private landholders are doing their bit, but this government has dropped the ball. For 18 of the past 23 years this government has not prioritised the management of Victoria’s Crown land. I ask the Minister for Environment to share with my community what she is doing to manage the noxious weeds and pest animals on Crown land, particularly rabbits and pigs. I call on the minister to urgently address this, I call on the minister to immediately activate emergency measures to eradicate noxious weeds and pest animals from Victoria’s Crown land and I expect the minister to answer, please.