The reintroduction of weevils that have previously kept weeds at bay at Waterlily Park in Ocean Shores is now underway while the weather is favourable, say Council staff.
Resident David Kennedy told The Echo he and other residents are concerned with the infestation of weeds, which has occurred for years, and asked when Council would remove them.
When asked what plans there were for their removal, Malcolm Robertson, Byron Shire Council’s Manager of Open Spaces told The Echo that ‘Waterlily Park is currently suffering an infestation of the aquatic fern salvinia molesta’.
‘It is a native of Brazil and was introduced to Australia as an ornamental pond plant. In warm conditions, it can rapidly multiply and cover the entire surface of a water body. The lake has been affected for over 15 years and Council have used a variety of methods to control it including mechanical harvesting with a floating barge and biological control using a weevil (Cyrtobagous weevils) also from Brazil.
Robertson said the weevils ‘do not affect any native plants’.
And while mechanical harvesting provides a quick result, Robertson says the effects are short-lived, and expensive.
‘This biological control is an elegant solution; the weevils cost Council nothing to procure, no herbicide is required, the sinking weed does not deoxygenate the water causing fish kills, no birdlife or aquatic creatures are impacted, and it is long-lasting.
‘We intend to persevere with our attempt to reintroduce the weevils while the weather is favourable, if they fail to establish, we always have the option of the mechanical harvester as a temporary measure until next summer, when the salvinia will be back’.
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