Council working to eradicate ‘invasive species’ on public roads and lands across Waterford

A Waterford councillor has expressed fear amid the presence of an ‘invasive species’ locally.

Independent councillor Declan Barry raised the issue of Japanese knotweed at the September plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Cllr Barry said: “I just want to ask about Japanese knotweed here now because when I brought it up several months ago, I was told the best time for treating this was some time in the middle of August to September.

“So, have there been many incidents reported here in Waterford and has treatment taken place to combat this invasive species?”

In response to Cllr Barry, Director of Services Gabriel Hynes outlined the programme that the council have put in place to eradicate the plant.

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Mr Hynes said: “As a local authority, we are responsible for Japanese knotweed on public roads and in public areas.

“Over the last number of years, we’ve had a programme in place where we spray Japanese knotweed regularly.

“Normally, it takes five years to spray and to actually kill it so we have identified it with signs. Then we’ve the programme to spray it and it’s normally at this time of year that takes place.”

Mr Hynes concluded by saying that where Japanese knotweed is on private land, it is the responsibility of the landowner to deal with it.

Japanese knotweed is a tall, fast-growing perennial plant that is native to East Asia but is now common in many parts of Europe and North America.

It has bamboo-like hollow stems, heart-shaped or spade-shaped green leaves, and small clusters of creamy white flowers that appear in late summer.

Japanese knotweed has very tough rhizomes, which allow it to regrow from even tiny fragments.

It often pushes through tarmac, concrete, and building foundations and is widely considered to be one of the most invasive plants in the world.