The Bellingen community has spoken and they've been heard. Aerial spraying in the Gladstone State Forest has beed delayed.
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In a statement General Manager, Hardwood Forests Division Dean Anderson said:
"Forestry Corporation of NSW’s planned weed spraying in Gladstone State Forest has been delayed due to weather and will be rescheduled. Weed control is essential and must take place urgently to prevent weeds becoming entrenched, so we have managed to engage a skilled and qualified contractor who is available to complete the work on a one-off basis using a more traditional on-ground application method.
"We remain confident in the effectiveness and safety of modern aerial spraying, which is highly accurate, but we will use the on-ground method in this instance to allow more time to speak with the community about aerial spraying. We will not rule out the use of aerial spraying in the area in the future.
"We will be hosting an information forum in the coming weeks to provide the community with the opportunity to learn more about our weed control program and ask any questions they may have about herbicides and the application techniques and we will notify our neighbours before any work begins."
In addition to this announcement a spokesperson for Forestry Corporation told the Courier-Sun: "The only area in the Bellingen Shire on Forestry Corporation’s aerial spraying schedule this financial year is Gladstone State Forest. We have commenced speaking with the community about weed removal in an area in Tuckers Nob State Forest, but have not finalised any plans at this stage."