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Asthma Weed in Coledale
Members of the Clifton to Coledale Neighbourhood Forum have been dismayed by the presence of Asthma Weed in Coledale. This invasive weed of urban areas can cause asthma and a range of other serious conditions such as conjunctivitis, hay fever and rhinitis. Contact with plants may result in skin rashes and allergic reactions.
Known botanically as Parietaria judaica, Asthma Weed is also known as Sticky Weed, Pellitory and Kirribilli Curse. This weed can grow just about anywhere and in any conditions, and is common in gardens, laneways and brick and rock walls. Asthma Weed is related to stinging nettles, and the sticky hairs on the plant's leaves and stem may produce a skin rash in sensitive people who come into contact with the plant.
This weed has been declared noxious in NSW and in 40 local government areas within the Sydney region. However, it has not been declared in the Illawarra because it isn't seen as a major problem here yet. This means that the Noxious Weeds Authority covering Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama can't put any time or resources into its eradication on private land.
Wollongong City Council has already sprayed plants identified on public land in Coledale and nearby suburbs but is unable to undertake control work on private land.
More than 15 gardens in Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Cliff Street, Cater Street and Hyde Lane, Coledale have been found to have infestations of Asthma Weed. Some of these properties are very close to the school and childcare centre presenting a threat to the health of local children. Small infestations have also been found in Wombarra and Scarborough gardens.
Members of Neighbourhood Forum became so concerned about the presence of this noxious pest that they held a special community meeting about Asthma Weed on 4th February 2009 at the Coledale RSL Bistro. They invited Council officers, the Noxious Weed officer, local organisations, businesses and residents affected by Asthma Weed. Anyone interested was welcome to attend.
With the help of Wollongong City Council officers, CCNF has reproduced and distributed printed material to many Coledale homes. This material describes the appearance of the weed and how to handle and remove it safely. People are urged to carefully remove Asthma Weed from their properties to prevent its rapid spread and its harmful affects on their health.
"This is a serious problem," said Danie Ondinea from the Neighbourhood Forum. "Plants can reproduce within 4 weeks of germination. One square metre of Asthma Weed can produce a quarter of a million seeds and these seeds are easily spread. For example they attach themselves to clothing and to the fur of pets."
For more information on Asthma Weed
http://www.sydneyweeds.org.au/weeds/asthma-weed.php
http://www.sydneyweeds.org.au/docs/AsthmaWeedRemovalGuide.pdf
For further information contact Danie Ondinea on 4268 0952
Written in June 2009