New Collinsville automatic weed washdown facility opens

The new Collinsville automatic weed washdown facility was officially opened recently by Whitsunday Regional Council’s Division 4 Councillor Michelle Wright.

The facility has been jointly funded by the NQ Dry Tropics Landholders Driving Change Program and the Whitsunday Regional Council.

The Landholders Driving Change Program has contributed $15,000 towards the purchase of the facility and the Council has covered the installation costs.

Cr Wright said it is always an outstanding outcome when Council partnered with state government to deliver projects and infrastructure that benefit the local community.

“This project will help defend the region against weed seed spread that can threaten the viability of our local agriculture industry.

“The simple design of the facility demonstrates how a low-cost effective washdown can be simply replicated on rural properties,” Cr Wright said.

The washdown area will encourage landholders and contractors to use the facility to wash their cars to reduce the risk of spreading weed seed such as parthenium.

The new facility is high tech with sensors, so people simply just drive up to the washdown and the sprays turn on automatic. The sprays are on a 1-minute timer, so drivers can take their time driving through the facility.

The new facility is part of a broader strategy to reduce weed seed spread in the Collinsville region.

The project has been a great demonstration of the partnership between the NQ Dry Tropics and the Whitsunday Regional Council on land management and biosecurity issues.

For more information on the new facility please contact the Whitsunday Regional Council Natural Resource Management and Climate work unit on 4945045.

< ENDS >

For media enquiries, contact:

Greg Martin, Communications and Marketing Manager

Phone: 4945 0617 or Email: communications@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au