Time to start weeding

If you'd like to score five free native plants for your garden, it's time to get out in the back yard and start weeding.

AlburyCity is offering free native plants and free entry to anyone who brings weeds to the Albury Waste Management Centre between 10am - 2pm this weekend (1-2 August).

The offer applies to weeds including genista/cape broom, privet, cotoneaster, wild tobacco, tree lucerne/tagasaste, Cootamundra wattle, cherry plumb, watsonia, African olive and Italian lavender, rhus tree and blackberry nightshade.

The free native plants, including shrubs, trees, grasses and groundcovers, will require little water and are suited to local conditions.

AlburyCity's initiative aims to reduce weeds which can have a serious impact on the natural environment, waterways, agricultural land and human and animal health.

AlburyCity Vegetation Management Officer, Sarah Stuart, said it was important to be aware of the impact weeds can have.

"Many weeds such as privet, rhus tree and blackberry nightshade can cause allergies or are toxic and can cause problems when inhaled, ingested or touched," she said.

"When weeds spread to places like Albury's endangered Grassy Box Woodlands around Nail Can Hill and Eastern Hill, they out-compete endangered native plant communities and reduce the area's biodiversity."

Sarah said most native plants to be given away produce bright flowers which will attract wildlife and brighten gardens in spring.

"Native plants in home gardens provide local wildlife -- with shelter, food and breeding sites," Sarah said.
"It's important because a lot of birds, insects, frogs, butterflies, and lizards have lost their habitat because of development and clearing." 

A maximum of one trailer load of weeds will be accepted at the Albury Waste Management Centre and loads must not contain other rubbish in order to be eligible for free entry and free plants.