ONCE the drought breaks, another problem could be set to flood the landscape of the region.
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Tamworth councillor Jim Maxwell said noxious weeds could be a huge problem once the dry spell ends.
Cr Maxwell said interstate truck movements bringing much-needed fodder into the region could have an unwanted passenger tagging along for the rides.
“One huge problem I see coming with all this fodder coming in is going to be the noxious weeds after the breaking of the drought,” he told The Leader.
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“There’s trucks just going backwards and forwards and there could be seeds dropped everywhere,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a huge, huge problem after the drought.”
He said parthenium weed had already been found coming in from Queensland and he feared Parramatta grass could make its way from the coast.
Cr Maxwell said headers and farm machinery basically had to be taken a part and inspected before crossing borders, but the same due diligence was given to trucks transporting fodder.
“All we could really do at this late stage is an education program,” he said.
Parthenium weed can be harmful to humans and livestock.
According to the department of primary industries (DPI), it can cause respiratory problems, severe dermatitis and can lead to tainted meat and milk.
Parthenium weed is endemic to central Queensland and is spreading into the south of the state.
Giant Parramatta grass invades pastures and replaces more productive types of grass, especially after overgrazing or soil disturbance and can lower land value, according the DPI.