A rate rebate incentive scheme to manage exotic stipoid grasses
Alan Brennan, Melton Shire Council, PO Box 21, Melton, Victoria 3337, Australia.
Summary
A rate rebate scheme that stimulates private landholders to control noxious weeds including exotic stipoid grasses has been operating successfully in the Shire of Melton since 1994. The scheme's success is due, primarily, to the financial incentive, frequent and direct Council-landholder interaction and co-ordinated enforcement approach undertaken with Natural Resources and Environment. Melton Shire Council is committed to reducing the area of the Shire degraded by weeds and so invests $1.2 million annually on weed management.
Plant Protection Quarterly (2002) 17 (3) 116-118.