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LIVING ON THE LAND
Council cultivates new talent to combat weed control shortage
As the challenge of invasive weeds escalates across Australia , innovative traineeships are providing a solution to a growing shortage of skilled weed control staff .
Invasive weeds pose a significant threat to agriculture , costing Australian farmers an estimated $ 1.5 billion annually in lost production . Climate change , with increasing heavy rainfall and flooding , has only exacerbated the issue .
Hawkesbury River County Council ( HRCC ), responsible for weed management in Western Sydney ’ s Hawkesbury-Nepean region , is tackling the problem head-on . HRCC General Manager Chris Dewhurst highlights the sector ’ s rapid growth , driven by a greater awareness of invasive species ’ impact on both the environment and economy .
“ The weeds management sector has at least doubled in the past 25 years , but the demand for skilled workers continues to outstrip supply ,” says Dewhurst .
Weed control is a highly specialised field requiring extensive training , with qualifications from TAFE and other certifications often taking over a year to complete . This lengthy process has contributed to staff shortages , creating a bottleneck in recruitment .
To address this , HRCC has run hands-on traineeships for over 12 years , offering an entry point into the industry . Since 2012 , the council has trained 19 graduates , all of whom have secured careers in the sector .
James Francis , Weed Control Officer , on the job .
“ Our traineeship programme is unique . Given the difficulty in recruiting qualified staff , we focus on training people from the ground up . This not only fills skills gaps but also provides them with a clear career pathway ,” Dewhurst explains .
Weeds management offers a rewarding career for those passionate about the natural environment . Officers engage in varied tasks , from identifying and removing invasive species to advising landowners on weed control strategies .
“ Each day is different , and the work is both challenging and fulfilling . There ’ s great scope for growth and being outdoors in nature is a major draw for many ,” Dewhurst adds .
As weeds continue to threaten Australia ’ s ecosystems and agricultural productivity , councils like HRCC are proving that investing in homegrown talent is key to safeguarding the environment for future generations .
For more info contact HRCC ’ s General Manager , Chris Dewhurstgm @ hrcc . nsw . gov . au or 0402 778 753 .
Aussie ’ s summer sizzlers
Local pump manufacturing heroes , Aussie Pumps , have launched a Summer Sizzler catalogue , loaded with great products at Summer Sizzler prices .
The range includes the world ’ s best high pressure Fire Pumps selling for $ 800 each ex GST , hundreds of dollars below other brands that have far less capability . Also on offer are Transfer Pumps from 1 ” all the way through to big 4 ” and even 6 ” pumps for quarries and effluent pump outs .
An added bonus is Aussie ’ s QP self-priming pump range comes with a unique five year warranty .
The Summer Sizzler catalogue also has lots of information about the great pressure cleaner range made at their 3.5 acre Norwest factory .
Aussie is proud of the excellent product range they ’ ve developed .
Pressure cleaners from their amazing Black Box , a pint size pressure cleaner that weighs in at 30kgs , a professional product at a hardware store price ! You ’ ll never see these at Bunnings or Mitre 10 .
Locals checking out the great Aussie deals .
Yes , Aussie is number one in Australia , with the design and manufacture of high pressure water blasters and drain cleaning jetters as well .
The Summer Sizzler catalogue is free . You can get it from your local Aussie distributors , Glenorie Stockfeeds , Ace Ohlssen , Hills Irrigation and Dick Petrikas .
Visit aussiepumps . com . au for more info .
28 ISSUE 178 // MARCH 2025 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT