North West Weeds
Your local guide to local noxious weed control (NSW, Australia)
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North West Weeds |
1788 | 1886 | 1910 |
1926 | 1951 | 1970 |
1980 | 1990s 1788 Prickly pear plants brought into Australia with the First Fleet to start a cochineal dye Industries for the British Government. (Type of pear involved is believed to have been smooth tree pear (Opuntia moncantha). 1800s Subsequent and more serious varieties of prickly pear brought into Australia and established in country areas as settlers moved inland - FOR EXAMPLE: 1839 Record of a common pear plant being taken from Parramatta to Scone, NSW where it was planted and grown in various paddocks with the idea that it would be a good stand-by for stock in a drought year. 1848 Common pear taken from Sydney to Warwick, Qld for garden and hedge plant. 1870 First recorded acknowledgment of the potential of prickly pear to become a serious rural problem. 1886 The first Prickly-pear Destruction Act (Act 50 Vic.No. 2, 1886) passed. This Act recognised the danger of prickly pear, and placed obligations on holders of land to destroy pear. It also provided for the appointment of Inspectors to enforce its provisions. 1901 Prickly Pear Destruction Act (Act No. 32, 1901) passed with minor amendments. 1901 The Queensland Government offered a reward of £5,000 for the discovery of a satisfactory method of destroying prickly pear. The reward was doubled in 1907, subsequently withdrawn in 1909. 1910 Introduction of "Roberts' Improved Pear Poison" 80% sulphuric acid mixture and 20% arsenic. 1912 Queensland Government chemical trials commenced - Arsenic Pentoxide found to be "superior to all other chemicals". 1912 With prickly pear now rampant, the Queensland Prickly Pear Travelling Commission was founded to investigate the feasibility of controlling prickly pear by biological means. Various agents were tested but none was successful. 1919 Commonwealth Prickly Pear Board formed. Representing the Governments of the Commonwealth, Queensland and New South Wales, the Board continued with investigations into an effective biological control agent for prickly pear. This led to the eventual release of Cactoblastis in 1926. The Board also introduced into Australia cochineal insects for control of various types of prickly pear.
1923
O.C. Roberts Ltd factory for the manufacture of Roberts' Improved Pear Poison 1924 Passing of the Prickly-pear Act (Act No. 31, 1924), making provision for the constitution of a New South Wales Prickly Pear Destruction Board, later to become the Prickly-pear Destruction Commission. 1924 Appointment of first Prickly-pear Commissioner, headquarters Moree (former Lands Department Senior Surveyor - Arch Lockhart). Prickly-pear Destruction Commission staff structure formed - Inspectors, Supervisors and Operators - to administer the Prickly Pear Act and to undertake treatment work. 1924 Introduction of "Prickly Pear Leases" - lands so heavily infested with prickly pear as to be unproductive. The blocks were granted to lessees for an initial period of 21 years (many were later extended) at a very low rental on the condition that a specified number of acres were cleared and maintained until the total lease was cleared of prickly pear, when they could then apply to change the title to freehold. As it happened, the cactoblastis subsequently wiped out most of the pear anyway!
1926
1932 Six years after the initial release of cactoblastis most major stands of prickly pear have been virtually eliminated. Commission staff numbers reduced, but still facing problems with prickly pear in areas where cactoblastis were not effective eg Scone and Mudgee areas. Tiger pear now causing serious problems in grazing land. 1932 Appointment of second Prickly-pear Commissioner, Mr Norris J. Small (1932-1946). By this time 1932, Head Office relocated from Moree to Lands Department, Bridge Street, Sydney. 1940's World War 2 impact - winding down of spraying operations because of shortage of manpower, motor vehicles, petrol and chemicals - "skeleton" crew only, heavy reliance on biological control methods.
1946 William (Bill)
Lee appointed Prickly-pear Commission (1946 to 1951). 1951 Victor H Gray appointed Prickly-pear Commissioner (1951 to 1980) 1950's Major increases in prickly pear infestations because of wet summers and ineffective biological control - it was estimated at the time that 1 in every 10 properties was infested with prickly pear of one species or another - resumption of major spraying programs throughout the State in areas where cactoblastis was not effective - work force returned to full strength of between 40 and 60 - introduction of four-wheel-drive vehicles to facilitate entry into previously inaccessible terrain. 1953 Prickly-pear Destruction Commission 52/53 annual report states staff numbers Head Office 7, Field 31 (Inspectors 3 [Jack Cox at Scone, Clive Harris at Moree, Jack Bailes at Tamworth], Supervisors 8 [including Alf Britton, Alan Miller and George Kays], Operators 20 - Billy Bell, Jimmy Coss etc). Total expenditure for year £37,540.11.3. A total of 57,324 lbs of arsenic pentoxide used/supplied by the Commission in that year. Sales of spraying equipment included 59 atomisers, 22 pear guns and 10 pear stabbers. 1956 Introduction of hormone herbicide type spray mixtures 24-D and 245-T for prickly pear and the end of arsenic pentoxide as the main chemical. This heralded a new era in chemical treatment. A "safe" chemical, permitting spraying operations to be continued all year around without danger to cattle and other animals as was the case with arsenic pentoxide. 1960's Continuation of major chemical treatment work throughout the State in conjunction with biological control programs where appropriate. This period also saw major improvements to spraying and other equipment. Construction of Mudgee Prickly Pear Depot. (NB, editor of this webpage Les Tanner started at Mudgee as an operator 17 Mar 1959 - transferred to Bingara Jan 1960) 1961 Prickly-pear Destruction Commission Scone Depot relocated from old Scone Court House to a site (a former bus depot) in Waverley Street, Scone. Supervisor Eddie Foote was the storeman. Scone Depot was the main store and distribution point for the Commission for prickly pear poison and equipment throughout NSW. 1961 Prickly-pear Destruction Commission 60/61 annual report states staff numbers Head Office 7, Field 73 (Inspectors 5, Supervisors 18, Operators 50). Total expenditure for year £117,534.14.8. New chemical, Weedazol Prickly-Pear Poison (amitrol) brought into use for common pear - worked slowly over a 12 months period, minimal damage to Cactoblastis insects... 1963 Prickly-pear Destruction Commission 62/63 annual report states staff numbers Head Office 7, Field 73 (Inspectors 5 - Jack Bailes/Wally Birrell/Garry Ryan/Lou Knight plus 1?, Supervisors 18 - incl Eddy Foote, Alan Miller, Les Tanner, Jack Neich, Neil MacDonald..., Operators 50 - including Billy Bell, Jimmy Coss ...). Total expenditure for year £123,915.7.3 [Many more names yet to be added...] 1966 Prickly-pear Destruction Commission 65/66 annual report states staff numbers Head Office 7, Field 67 (Inspectors 5, Supervisors 18, Operators 44). Total expenditure for year $290,022.45. 1967 Prickly-pear Destruction Commission 66/67 annual report states staff numbers Head Office 7, Field 68 (Inspectors 5, Supervisors 18, Operators 45). Total expenditure for year $346,364, including $50,000 Drought Unemployment Relief funds. Value of poison and spray equipment sold/supplied was $61,196. 1968 Inspector John T Bailes (Tamworth) retired 12 July after 37 years with the PPDC. Position relocated to Bingara and filled by Les Tanner.
1969
Prickly-pear Destruction Commission 68/69 annual report states
staff numbers Head Office 7, Field 72 (Inspectors 5, Supervisors 18, Operators
49). Total expenditure for year $281,145.07. 1970 Construction of new office/depot facilities at Dubbo, Tamworth and Bingara (photo, right, Bingara PPDC Depot about 1975). 1970's Better employment conditions for staff, but a general downturn in funds available for pear treatment work. Winding down of spraying operations, and systematic return to programmed use of biological control agents. Construction of controlled-temperature insect rearing facilities at Scone, Mudgee, Tamworth and Bingara. Increasing commitment to biological control throughout New South Wales. New Prickly Pear Depot built at Singleton. Other (smaller) depots built at Ashford, Moree and Mungindi. 1970 PPDC 1969/70 Annual Report states expenditure for the year was $319,590. Staff numbers as at 30 June 1970 were 7 administrative staff and 72 employed on field duties. Introduction of system of wages and allowances paid to local staff by the five Inspectors at Bingara, Tamworth, Singleton, Mudgee and Dubbo. 1971 PPDC 1970/71 Annual Report states expenditure for the year was $356,134. Staff numbers as at 30 June 1971 were 7 administrative staff and 53 employed on field duties (Inspectors 5, Supervisors 18 and Operators 30. 1972 PPDC 1971/72 Annual Report states expenditure for the year was $377,224.55 plus $39,382 from Dept of Local Government for unemployment relief. Staff numbers as at 30 June 1972 were 7 administrative staff and 110 on field duties (Inspectors 5, Supervisors 18, Operators 87 including casual staff employed under Unemployment Relief Scheme). Trials commenced on new chemical from United States: Nopalmate (pottasium hexafluroasenate).
1973
PPDC 1972/73 Annual Report s 1975 Transfer of control of administration of the Prickly Pear Act (and the Commission) from Minister for Lands to Minister for Agriculture. PPDC Head Office relocated from Lands Department Building to Union Carbide Building, later to McKell Building near Central Railway. 1975 Frank Spratt, head office administrative officer (& legendary smoker - often 3 cigarettes going at the one time!) retired after 25 years with the PPDC.
1978
Entomologist Dr John Hosking appointed (July) to investigate
methods of optimising practical application of prickly pear biological control techniques.
1980 Garret E. Ryan appointed Prickly-pear Commissioner (1980 to 1987). Garry started with the Commission at Moree as an operator in 1948, advancing to Inspector-in-charge of Moree and later Tamworth districts. His distinguished service and leadership skills with the Commission qualified him for the top job. (photo, right) 1980's Transfer of Head Office from Sydney (McKell Building) to Tamworth (GIO Building). Process of further integration of Commission staff into Department of Agriculture. Further development of biological control programs and facilities and the move into biological control of other weeds. Reduction of staff numbers from 50 to 35. 1987 The Prickly Pear Act, 1987 passed by State Parliament.
1987
The final PPDC Annual Report states expenditure for the year 1986/87 was $1,606,177.
Staff numbers as at 30 June 1987 totalled 45: Commissioner 1 (Garry Ryan), administrative staff
3 (Darryl Brown, Paul Smith, Ann Hornshaw), Research staff 2 (John Hosking, Paul
Sullivan) plus 38 field staff located as follows: 1987 Cessation of all contract prickly pear spraying and biological control work. 1987 Disbandment of the Prickly-pear Destruction Commission (31/12/1987). 1988 Integration of staff and resources from the former PPDC into Department of Agriculture 1/1/1988. Some staff resigned. Most moved into either the newly-formed Prickly Pear Surveillance Unit (to continue administration of the Prickly Pear Act) under Senior Inspector Les Tanner or into the Weed Biological Control Unit (a specialist unit dedicated to development, monitoring and promotion of new weed biological control programs) led by Dr John Hosking.
1988 Cessation
of supply of chemical spray to landholders. 1988 Expansion into other areas of weed biological control including programs on Paterson's curse, Scotch broom, bitou bush etc. 1990's Joining of the Prickly Pear Surveillance Unit and the Biological Control Unit into a single Weed Biological Control Unit - further staff reductions, mainly through natural attrition. Progression of some staff into Noxious Weeds Act activities. 1996 Responsibility for administration of legislation to control prickly pear transferred from NSW DPI to local government. Prickly pear species declared as "noxious weeds" and subsequently dealt with under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993. 1996 Prickly Pear Act 1987 repealed.
PRICKLY
PEAR PHOTO GALLERY - separate page within this website... VALE includes: Warren McCowen (Emmaville) died 21 June 1993. Paul Lutschini (Mudgee) died 23 Aug 2002. Dan Lane (Tamworth) died 1 April 2004. Frank Spratt (Head Office Sydney) died 13 July 2004. Les Glazier (Mudgee) [died date?]. Ted Bartholomew (Gilgai) died 26 June 2006. Ron Sippel (Tamworth) died 28 September 2007. Alan Miller (Tenterfied) died September 2007. |
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