Our representative on the Regional Weeds Committee, Regional Landcare Facilitator, Anneka Ferguson, has kindly provided the following update on weeds matters:

• NT LLS is now the Lead Agency for the NT LLS Weeds Action Program 2015-2020 (WAP) but has sub-contracted duties to the New England Weeds Authority (NEWA). NEWA will disperse funds (expected to be received from the DPI in coming weeks) to the local control agencies, as per the business plan for WAP funding.
• For those that may not yet be aware, the Northern Tablelands Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan 2017-2022 (NT RSWMP) is now operational, having been endorsed by the NT LLS Board and approved by the Minister. Download it at https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weed-control. This plan informs the current focus for authorities.
• NT Local Land Services is coordinating a Priority Weeds Project with local councils. The focus of this project has been tropical soda apple in the past, but it is now looking to serrated tussock and other priority weeds identified in the NT RSWMP (see link above), in particular the State Priority Weeds and Regional Priority Weeds listed on pages 56-58 (but others such as those on page 59 may be considered if a case can be put forward for them being a threatening process to an EPBC-listed species or similar).
• If you/your group or neighbours have a particular patch that you think is a priority for control, please let your local Council know! You may be able to coordinate a partnership approach for developing a proposal and achieving funding under this project. Or that patch may already be on (or could be put on) your Council's radar.
• There are a number of mandatory documents that will be updated by 30 September 2018 under the WAP (e.g. Best Practice Management Guides for Priority Weeds, which will be adapted from the former Class 4 Plans under the Weed Management Act). Please be aware that drafts will be prepared and provided to Committee Members over the next six months or so.