Kincardine is going to get tough on phragmites -- the municipality is going to find money to fight the invasive weed along the Lake Huron Shoreline.

Kincardine is going to come up with 20 thousand dollars to start fighting phragmites next month rather than wait for 2013 budget discussions.

Mayor Larry Kraemer says the weed is affecting some of the most valuable real estate the community has and is affecting the enjoyment of property by ratepayers.

Kraemer says the money needed to start the program will come from capital projects savings where tenders have come in below budget.

Kincardine resident Christine Schiestel, in a presentation to council, says phragmites will have far-reaching effects on the community from wildlife to flora and fauna and economically on Provincial Parks.

Schiestel says we're witnessing the murder of the Ontario shoreline because of phragmites.

She urged council to move on the problem now with 418 acres at risk in the Kincardine region.

The 20 thousand dollars could clean up 40-to 50 acres.

The Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, Karen Alexander, says the program will take several years to complete because of some species at risk and endangered species in some areas.

However she's pleased council saw fit to begin the fight sooner rather than later.

Staff will have a report of exactly where the money needed for the fight will come from at the next council meeting.