Controlling pest plants - 2006

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Indicator description

Controlling Pest Plants

Council is making an ongoing commitment to controlling pest plant species. Council is responsible for noxious weed control on, all roadside areas, Council owned land, land under the control of Council and Crown Land. Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993, Council is also required ensure that private landowners and occupiers within the City area are taking reasonable and effective measures to control noxious weeds on privately owned land.

Council undertakes a substantial amount of spraying to eradicate noxious weeds each year. It is also has bio control programs in place for some weeds. The following table shows a list of Noxious Weeds with control programs in place, and the worst affected areas for each weed.

* figure significantly less than expected due to smaller infestations as a result of drought conditions

In 2005/2006 Council spent a total of $162,115 conducting inspections, spraying and undertaking education to increase awareness about noxious weeds.  Council’s bushcare groups are very involved in the eradication of all weeds in their bush care areas. For more information see Coastal Restoration and Land Restoration.

Control of Caulerpa taxifolia in Shoalhaven

NSW Fisheries has imposed fishing restrictions in areas of infestation in the Shoalhaven, as well as working with Council to erect information signs in relation to identification and control of the spread of the marine pest and to provide boat washdown facilities in critical locations.

A number of trials of large scale control techniques (mainly salt treatment) are being carried out on the central coast and were conducted in Lake Conjola, Burrill Lake and Narrawallee Inlet in 2002/3.

Fisheries have conducted follow up surveys to assess the effectiveness of the techniques used and to retreat any new outbreaks. Recent inspections revealed significant outbreaks in St Georges Basin.

Infestations at Conjola and Burrill are much more extensive and control trials at high use areas such as boat ramps have been successful, however complete eradication is not feasible at this time.

Council is currently auditing and repairing all existing signage and wash down facilities for the coming summer season as well as initiating media releases and comprehensive southern Shoalhaven letter box deliveries of information brochures. This is to again raise awareness to the very real danger of spreading Caulerpa to adjoining estuaries.

In 2002 the State Government announced funding of nearly $1 million for a package of community education, monitoring, research and 'spot control' of new outbreaks on the South Coast. The University of Wollongong are currently undertaking research into the molecular biology, chemistry, growth habit, reproduction, genetic diversity and environmental impact of Caulerpa. The research program being implemented combines the effort of CSIRO, UOW, Fisheries and Postgraduate researchers to identify methods in the long term management of Caulerpa in Australia.

Shoalhaven Rural Privet Control Strategy

Over the past 10 years Privet has become a problem weed in the Shoalhaven area. This exotic weed grows on moist and nutrient rich soils. With the cessation of intensive grazing in many areas, privet has spread along large areas along creek banks and hill sides, displacing the many native plants that would otherwise occur.  Privet shrubs and trees are declared noxious in urban areas, because of the health issues caused by their pollen.  In these areas, they must be prevented from flowering and fruiting. In rural areas privet poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity, and to native bushland.

The overall aim of the rural Privet Control  project is to halt the spread of privet, and eliminate it in some areas by increasing the public awareness of the problem and increasing the number of volunteers in the Shoalhaven effectively working on its control on their own land and in the adjacent riparian areas, crown land, public reserves and road reserves.

The project focuses on riparian zones where Privet thrives. Combined with riparian fencing the project has benefits for water quality by reducing erosion. The project takes the pressure off understorey species and habitat, both terrestrial and aquatic. It prevents further rapid degrading of these habitats and enhances the native bushland reserves in these heavily populated and much visited rural areas.

The project has significant environmental benefit for residents as well as for native vulnerable flora and fauna. It promotes meaningful community involvement in a way that strategically intervenes at a crucial stage of propagation of the weed, and gives immediate relief from a known allergen. Land owners and managers are encouraged to work strategically, using ecologically sound practices and proven bush regeneration techniques that are environmentally sound and highly effective.

Consistent and significant hard work by the Shoalhaven Privet Control Team over the period of July 2005 to June 2006 has brought a lot of rewards and recognition and has opened the way for a greater commitment of resources into the privet effort.

The hard work has included;

• A team of 2 skilled labourers, working almost full time (weather and finances permitting) on privet control,

• Works undertaken at 87 separate sites during the period from July 1st to June 30th 2006

• An increase in the weed killing power of the team, with chainsaws, a 2-stroke drill and both back pack and high volume spraying,

• A higher level of effort from cooperating landowners, in particular in spraying more of the privet forests adjoining their paddocks ,

• Envirofund projects sponsored by Shoalhaven Landcare Association financing extensive privet control and revegetation in Bundewallah and Brogers Catchments and

• Continued high level of commitment by Shoalhaven Council to control privet on public lands.

• 3 successful workshops were conducted around the LGA for landowners with woody weed problems such as Privet, demonstrating control strategies and techniques.  The workshops consisted of theoretical training, explaining the techniques and strategy of woody weed control, and then field work demonstrating these techniques on the ground.

Current Funding sourced for Privet Control

Through the implementation of the Shoalhaven Rural Privet Control Strategy during 2005/06 the following successes were achieved.

• All privet on Council road and bushland reserves have been sprayed or tackled. A follow-up roadside spray is currently underway;

• Large sections of many of the upper catchments are largely free of privet, including upper Kangaroo River and Brogers, Broughton Mill and Nowra Creeks. Follow up will continue in these areas over the summer;

• Road works along Bolong Road (between Broughton Creek and Shoalhaven Heads) has removed a very large patch of broad-leaved privet from the old quarry and the roadside;

• The work of the Shoalhaven Privet Control Team was recognised at the Shoalhaven Landcare Awards night on October 21st, with an award for outstanding contribution to the environment to team leader Greg Thompson;

• Shoalhaven Floodplain under control;

• Reduction of privet in urban areas;

• Increased Community awareness on identification and control techniques through workshops, brochures and updated information posted on the Council Web site; and

• Positive Support from Government agencies.

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