Pears and pests in the firing line after funding boost

Victoria Lugovoy knows that slow and steady wins the race when it comes to Hudson Pear control. Photo: LRAOR

The battle against two of the biggest environmental headaches on the Lightning Ridge Opal Fields - Hudson pear and feral pests - will continue after almost $150,000 in state funding was secured for ongoing control programs.

The funding, announced through the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, includes $106,146 for Hudson pear and invasive cactus management and a further $42,614 for pest control across the opal fields.

Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve Land Management Coordinator Victoria Lugovoy said the funding would allow work already showing positive results to continue.

“The Hudson pear program has become an ongoing part of our weed management strategy, and we really appreciate receiving this funding because it’s something we wouldn’t be able to manage without that support,” Ms Lugovoy said.

The program uses a two-pronged approach, combining targeted chemical spraying with biological control.

Ms Lugovoy said spraying focused on roadsides, high-traffic areas and around dams, where vehicles and wildlife were most likely to spread the invasive cactus.

“Our biological control complements the spray program by targeting the large infestations,” she said. […]

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