About Far North Coast Weeds

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Far North Coast Weeds

The trading name for the Far North Coast County Council

Far North Coast Weeds (FNCW) is a Local Control Authority under the Noxious Weeds Act, 1993 and is responsible for administering the Noxious Weed Act for the Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore City, Richmond Valley and Tweed Councils.

The Council was proclaimed in 1936. It has had various names since its inception.

VISION STATEMENT

To protect and enhance the environment on the Far North Coast by managing the impact of noxious weeds on all classes of land within the County District and actively encourage best practice techniques and land use.

MISSION STATEMENT

1. The Far North Coast Weeds aims to have all W1 category weeds eradicated from, and reduce the incidence of, other noxious weeds from public lands in the County District.

2. The Far North Coast Weeds aims to cooperate closely with landholders and occupiers to eradicate W1 category weeds and to reduce the incidence of other noxious weeds on private lands within the county District.

3. The Far North Coast Weeds aims to provide a cost efficient noxious weed program, while taking appropriate steps to protect the environment.

COUNCILLORS

FNCW has six Councillors, one appointed by each of its constituent Councils. The delegate from each Council is a Councillor to Far North Coast Weeds and does not specifically represent the interests of their own Council, but represents the interests of the County district. The Councillors are:

Cr Ernie Bennett, Chairperson - Delegate from Kyogle Council Cr John Felsch, Deputy Chairperson - Delegate from Ballina Council Cr Merv King - Delegate from Lismore City Council Cr Robert Mustow - Delegate from Richmond Valley Council Cr Richard Staples - Delegate from Byron Council Max Boyd - Administrator from Tweed Shire Council

Cr Ernie Bennett, Chairperson

CONTACTS

Office: 218-232 Molesworth St

Lismore NSW

Postal: PO Box 230

Lismore, NSW 2480

Phone: (02) 6623 3833Fax: (02) 6622 1181

E-mail: fncw@fncw.nsw.gov.au

Website: www.fncw.nsw.gov.au

Lismore Depot - Wyrallah Road, Lismore

Phone (02) 6621 2474

Fax (02) 66218535

Mullumbimby Depot - Coolamon Scenic Drive, Mullumbimby

Phone (02) 6684 1584

Fax (02) 6684 3802

FUNDING

Council is funded from various sources:

• Matched grants from the NSW Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee (a Committee of NSW Agriculture) account for about 30% of Council's income.
• About half of its income comes from contributions from its constituent Councils
• The remaining 20% comes from contract weed control for private landholders and Government agencies, provision of information to prospective land purchasers, fines, sales of publications etc.

Annual turnover is just under $1,200,000.

STAFF

Council employs a 11 full time staff and 4 part time staff. They include the General Manager/Chief Weeds Officer, a part-time Finance officer, 2 part-time Administration Officers, 6 Inspectors, a Ganger, 2 Weed Control Operators and a trainee Inspector/ Weed Control Operator

COUNCIL’S ACTIVITIES

• Property inspections - Inspection of properties for the presence of noxious weeds. Enforcement of control of noxious weeds in line with their "W" category. Most properties are maintained free of noxious weeds by responsible occupiers. Most occupiers will control the noxious weeds after discussion with the Inspector.
  
• Issue of Weed Control Notices (WCN) -Where an occupier does not comply with the verbal request, Council issues a WCN under section 18 of the Noxious Weed Act to occupiers of land requiring the occupier to control noxious weeds. As a last resort, where an occupier of land fails to comply with a WCN Council, can issue on-the-spot fines, prosecute and/or enter the property and undertake the required work, under Section 20 of the Act, and charge it to the landholder. Outstanding debts become charges on the land.
  
• Roadside weed management - Council is responsible for the control of noxious weeds on roadsides and other public lands under its control.
  
• Aquatic weed management - Council is responsible for aquatic noxious weeds on rivers and public lagoons.
  
• Community information - Council is responsible to inform the community about noxious weeds and occupiers’ responsibilities to control them.
  
• Declaration - Council is responsible for monitoring changing plant status in the environment and determining whether declaration is the best approach to managing those changes. The Minister for Agriculture is responsible for declaring weeds. Council’s role is to recommend declarations, where appropriate, to the Minister, through the North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee and the NSW Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee.
  
• Certificates - Council provides certificates to intending property purchasers, on payment of a fee, stating whether there are outstanding fees, charges or notices on the property and whether there are noxious weeds currently present on the property.
  
• Advice - Council staff provide information, within their capability, on weed management issues. This may be done during property inspections, by phone, fax, email or at field days and other activities involving Council staff.

COUNCIL MEETINGS

Bimonthly - fourth Wednesday of February, April, June, August, October and December

Level 4, Rous Water Building, 218-232 Molesworth St Lismore 2480

The Business Paper is published on this site one week prior to the meeting

MANAGEMENT PLAN

ANNUAL REPORT

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