West Coast Regional Council's Persistent Battle Against Parrot's Feather
The West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) has been making strides in the ongoing battle against the invasive water weed, Parrot's Feather, which has been wreaking havoc on New Zealand's waterways. The plant, originally dumped from domestic aquariums, has spread rapidly across the country, with the WCRC focusing on controlling its spread in Kongahu at Karamea and Kaniere, near Hokitika.
Parrot's Feather forms dense floating mats on waterways, outcompeting native plants, reducing water flow, food, and habitat for fish. Its ability to clog pump intakes and drains, along with its ease of spread from small fragments, poses significant challenges. As Shanti Morgan, the council's environmental science manager, informed the Environment Management committee meeting, the weed can also cause flooding, further exacerbating the issue.
The WCRC's approach has been a combination of herbicide use and manual control, where the plants are pulled out by hand to free the affected waterways. Despite these efforts, the weed remains a persistent problem, as Morgan acknowledges, "Parrot's Feather is really very hard to control. It hasn't been eradicated anywhere, so we are just looking at containing it and reducing the spread."
The council's team has explored various methods, including the use of sodium chloride (salt), but success has been limited to small ponds. The challenge lies in the weed's ability to spread on diggers, making it crucial to educate property owners about its presence and ensure they clean their machinery to prevent further dispersal.
Jacqui Douglas, a representative of Ngāti Māhaki, praised the council's efforts, stating, "I'm familiar with this property, I know the people, and it's really quite remarkable."
As the battle against Parrot's Feather continues, the WCRC remains committed to containing its spread and minimizing its impact on the environment. The council's dedication to this cause is a testament to its efforts in preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance of the West Coast region.
