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The Hon. DON HARWIN: My question is directed to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries. With the summer holiday season imminent, will the Minister advise the House what new plans his department has for the eradication of caulerpa taxifolia in Narrawallee Inlet, Lake Conjola and Burrill Lake, given the unfortunate failure of the salt trials? Will the Minister undertake to urgently reschedule a meeting that he recently cancelled, without apology, with the members for South Coast and Bega so that local concerns can be presented to him?
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: That is a very good question from the Hon. Don Harwin. Caulerpa taxifolia is a major problem in some of our estuaries. It is, in effect, a problem imported from Queensland. Unfortunately, this weed destroys fisheries and their habitat. We have been spending around $1 million a year treating this problem, essentially with salt, and we have been dealing with most of the estuaries along the coast. It is an enormous problem and it has been estimated that of the order of $70 million will be required to eradicate it. We are working on a number of control measures. We will continue to work on those measures and we will, of course, discuss the matter with anyone who wishes to discuss it with us.