$55,000 to help 'weed out' cumbungi in Kununurra's Lily Creek Lagoon

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls today announced $55,000 funding would be given to the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley to assist with a trial to control the rapidly growing aquatic weed, cumbungi, in the Lily Creek Lagoon.

"This lagoon is a vital resource in the Lake Kununurra Ord river wetlands and provides the water supply for the Ord Irrigation Scheme," Mr Grylls said.

"Cumbungi is a rapidly growing weed which colonises areas of shallow water, up to two metres in depth.

"When cumbungi is present in wetland habitats, irrigation channels and drainage lines, the weed can dramatically reduce water flow which in this case directly affects the Ord irrigation system.

"The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley highlighted that 52 per cent of Lily Creek Lagoon was affected by cumbungi and it became evident immediate action needed to be taken to avoid the situation worsening.

"The $55,000 funding will assist with the operational costs of a mechanical device called the Cumbungi Harvester, which aides in the collection of aquatic weed.

"Mechanical harvesting of cumbungi is the preferred method of removal as it has minimal impact on the wetlands and it does not leave behind decaying material in the waterway or contribute to chemical residue.

"The township of Kununurra wraps around Lily Creek Lagoon, which is an important habitat for migratory birds, freshwater crocodiles and numerous species of fish and additionally provides a recreational area for the town.

"This trial is a demonstration of the State Government and Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley working together to try and preserve Lily Creek Lagoon as a valuable ecological habit and recreational feature that can be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike."