Waiouru weed war wages on

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 528, 22 March 1994, Page 2

Waiouru weed war wages on

By Michele Monaghan Waiouru camp has been running a noxious weed programme for about 10 years now, but this year has been particularly prolific for weeds. John Mangos, land management officer for the camp, says over $70,000 has been spent this financial year alone, on the spraying of gorse, broom, lupin and ragwort within the training area. All sprays used are bio-degradable, he said. Six thousand hectares have been cleared of pinus contorta this year, and contracts are now being tendered for the cutting of more of the weed tree. The pinus contorta programme has been running since the early 1970' s and is an on-going process. Heather is also considered a problem, says Mr Mangos, but a decision on the wider implications of tackling the problem is still being looked into. The training area covers 63,000 hectares. The Army is trying to conserve the environment as it originally was, and does not want a lot of weeds dominating the natural vegetation. The spraying and cutting of noxious weeds and contorta is always done by private contractors in conjunction with the Manawatu/Wanganui Regional Council.