The National Capital Authority (NCA) has announced the return of the “elite four-legged weed eradication team”, following last year’s successful weed control trial.
Goats were put to work last week on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, snacking on blackberry, black alder, willow and other undesirable plants on the shoreline.
In 2017, a trial of the goats saw substantial time-saving for human work crews. It reduced the environment impact of clearing weeds and also made the task of crews accessing the waterline safer.
Chief Executive of the National Capital Authority (NCA), Sally Barnes said last year’s trial was so successful that grazing has become part of the NCA’s strategic plan for weed management and goats will be used in areas where it is appropriate to do so.
“Goats have a vast appetite and create far less soil disturbance than machinery and can tackle terrain that would not be safe for mechanical plant,” Ms Barnes said.
“Although the public may wish to say hello to the goats, we ask that they do not approach them while their owner isn’t onsite as the fence will be live at this time. For the safety of the goats, people walking dogs in the area are asked to maintain control of their dogs and keep them on lead.”
The goats are currently working the Yarramundi Reach area, and will move to the Lindsay Pryor National Arboretum area in December for further clean-up of the lake’s edge.
Mount Taylor carpark works
Work started this week on upgrades to the carpark on the southern (Kambah) side of Mount Taylor Nature Reserve.
Off Sulwood Drive, the carpark will be upgraded to include an asphalt surface, defined entry and exit points and new kerb barriers.
The carpark will be constructed in two stages, with works expected to be completed in early 2019.
Ethical enterprise recognised
Queanbeyan-based social enterprise Kokonut Pacific has won the Moral Fairground Ethical Enterprise Award.
Kokonut Pacific is on “on a mission to erase poverty and empower some of the world’s poorest remote coastal villages”. Kokonut Pacific turns “coconuts into cash”, giving 100% of their profits from coconut oil back to the people who make it.
Kokonut Pacific also invented the Direct Micro Expelling (DME®), a sustainable coconut press that enhances village’s financial returns from the coconut oil.
“Kokonut Pacific have already shown a rich history of true and deep-seeded impact, so we were delighted to award them first prize,” said Moral Fairground’s Founder Susanna Bevilacqua.
For more information about the awards, visit moralfairground.com.au
For more:
