: News Article

Noxious pests identified in Ross Dam catchment

15/04/2004

The Chief Executive Officer of NQ Water Ken Diehm says he is pleased and relieved that relevant government departments have recognised their responsibilities in agreeing to act on noxious plants and animals recently discovered in the Ross River Dam catchment.

Siam Weed and a fish species called ‘Tilapia’ (pro. Till-are-pea-ah) are labelled ‘declared’ species. The weed has been discovered on land upstream of Ross River Dam and Tilapia in a local creek.

Declared weeds and fish are the responsibility of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines and the Queensland Fisheries Service, respectively.

Mr Diehm says NQ Water is greatly disturbed at the occurrence of what he describes as some of the world’s most virulent exotic pests.

“We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and will be working with those government agencies to formulate control options,” says Mr Diehm.

“They are aware of the presence of Siam Weed and Tilapia in the catchment and have recognised their role. The standard response for controlling Siam Weed is eradication.

“Tilapia is believed to have escaped from privately owned dams located in the catchment during the recent heavy rains.”

Ross River Dam’s 750 sq km catchment runs from Kelso to Oak Valley, west to High Range and south to Mt Elliot.

Also in the Ross River Dam area, NQ Water has ordered graziers to remove their cattle from land fringing the high water mark of Ross Dam.

Mr Diehm said the graziers were found to be continually flouting the conditions of their agistment lease by failing to keep cattle back from the water’s edge, which presented a health issue.

© 2004 NQ Water