Council to take on the gardening bully

Council to take on the gardening bully

12 November 2014

DOWN Council wants to play a leading role to enable people across the district to identify and destroy the invasive Japanese knotweed.

The local authority wants to educate people how best to handle the plant which is one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species.

The knotweed’s root system and strong growth are capable of damaging concrete foundations, buildings, flood defences, roads, paving, retaining walls and architectural sites.

The invasive weed is growing in a number of locations in Newcastle, including one close to the Burren River and has also been spotted close to the Meadowvale housing development in the resort and at Tipperary Wood. It has also been identified in other parts of the district.

At Monday night’s meeting of Down Council, there was across-the-board political support for a notice of motion calling on the local authority, the new Newry, Mourne and Down super council, and the Assembly to deal with the weed.

Local politicians, who also plan to raise the issue with Stormont Environment Minister Mark Durkan, are keen to see a mapping exercise launched to pinpoint exactly where the tweed is across the district.

Councillor Carmel O’Boyle, who tabled the motion, said there is evidence of “large scale knotweed infestation across the district,” highlighting the need to tackle the problem effectively and provide people with information on how to deal with the weed.

“This weed has the potential to not only damage people’s homes, but have a major impact on the value of their properties,” she said. “It’s vital Down Council, the new super council and the Assembly launch a publicity campaign to make people aware of the dangers of a weed which can cause serious problems for communities.

“The Environment Agency provides advice on how to deal with the weed which if not treated properly can spread at a rapid rate. It must not be taken to landfill sites and the problems associated with knotweed must be urgently and robustly addressed by the Assembly.”

Councillor Laura Devlin urged Down Council to provide leadership for ratepayers on how to deal with Japanese Knotweed, highlighting the need for a mapping exercise to be undertaken to pinpoint its presence across the district.

Councillor Garth Craig said because the weed is very difficult to eradicate, it’s important local people are provided with as much information as possible about how to deal with it.

“Japanese knotweed can wreak havoc with buildings and flood defences in particular and is an issue that needs to be properly addressed,” he added.

Councillor Patrick Clarke said there are major concerns about the invasive species “which poses so many dangers and causes a lot of harm,” urging people who discover knotweed to inform the Environment Agency.

He added: “It’s vital this council, the new super council and the Assembly work to inform and educate the public about how dangerous knotweed really is.”

Councillors Robert Burgess and Patsy Toman also voiced support for the motion and the need to educate people about the dangers associated with Japanese knotweed.