Harrisia Cactus Containment Project

Highly Commended:  Division A Weed Management Awards

Harrisia Cactus is an aggressive and thorny noxious weed causing increasing ecological damage to native flora and fauna and grazing property in inland northern New South Wales.   Originally from South America, the cactus has infiltrated areas from Yetman to west of Boggabilla and poses a significant threat to agricultural production and environmental health.

The need for an effective Harrisia Cactus containment program was identified by local Councils but the scale of an effective program was beyond the resources of most stakeholders. Fortunately, the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA entered the arena and successfully applied for significant funding through the Commonwealth Caring for Country initiative.

This injection of funding meant local councils have since been able to assist affected properties in a practical Harrisia Cactus reduction and containment program.

According to Les Tanner, Inverell Shire Council Chief Weeds Officer, the goal of controlling this noxious weed and setting up an effective containment line to protect the rest of the Inverell Shire is now attainable.

New England Weeds of National Significance Project

Highly Commended:  Division C Weed Management Awards

Strategic Implementation of Weeds of National Significance Containment Lines and Outlier Infestation Control Programs

This three year project funded by the Border Rivers Gwydir Catchment Management Authority focuses on four Weeds of National Significance (WONS), Serrated Tussock, Chilean Needle Grass, Gorse, and Bridal Creeper.

The CMA has contracted the Northern Inland Weeds Advisory Committee and the New England Weeds Authority as the project coordinators.

The project concentrates on eradicating outlying communities of Serrated Tussock, the strategic placement of containment lines to contain this spread south, west and north of the core infestations on the New England Tablelands and the eastern section of the Slopes within the Inverell Shire.

The project promotes best management practices for Chilean Needle Grass that has a large hold within the slopes and tablelands of the catchment.  Gorse is located along Boorolong Creek at Armidale and a herbicide eradication program was carried out with follow up works completed by landholders.  The distribution of Bridal Creeper is largely unknown and the project aims to increase the capacity of both the community and weed organisations to recognise the species.

More information about the Local Government Excellence in the Environment Awards can be found on the LGSA website at: http://www.lgsa-plus.net.au/www/html/4002-award-winners.asp

 

 

 

Tropical Soda Apple (TSA) has recently been detected on the coastal regions of NSW.

 

An infestation of TSA has been identified in the Upper Macleay Catchment, with control protocols currently being investigated through New England Weeds Authority, Mid North Coast weeds Advisory Committee and Industry and Investment NSW  with a major campaign to contain and control this invasive plant.

 

TSA is a perennial shrub native to Brazil and Argentina that invades pastures, open forest and other natural areas. It forms dense stands that can be impenetrable to livestock, large wildlife and humans, and has recently been declared a Class 2 noxious weed in all of NSW except the coastal areas that have a Class 3 Declaration.

 

As a result of cattle movements throughout the state Tropical Soda Apple has now also been identified by Weeds Officers in the Gunnedah Shire and Tamworth Regional Council areas.

Maria Woods, Chair of the Northern Inland Weeds Advisory Committee urges landowners to be on the lookout for new incursions of Tropical Soda Apple particularly if cattle have been introduced from affected areas. If a landowner suspects he has Tropical Soda Apple they should contact their local Weeds Officer for formal identification.

 

To notify of further sightings of this plant or other invasive species, contact your local Weeds Officer.

 

 

The Northern Inland Weeds Advisory Committee (NIWAC) have received funding of $230,000 through the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA under the Caring for our Country (CfoC) program  to carry out on ground eradication, containment and community education on four species of Weeds of National Significance (WONS) across the local government shires of Uralla, Armidale Dumaresq, Guyra, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell and Tenterfield.

 

 The project will focus on Serrated Tussock (Nasella trichotoma), Gorse (Ulex europaeus),

 Chilean Needle Grass (Nasella neesiana) and Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides.)

 

Partners in the project include the Border-Rivers Gwydir Catchment Management Authority (CMA), the New England and North West Landcare networks, New England Weeds Authority (NEWA) and the Inverell, Tenterfield and Glen Innes Severn Shire Councils.

 

Over the next twelve months the Serrated Tussock and Chilean Needle Grass infestations will be mapped and densities recorded, containment lines implemented and infestation management programs developed with landowner consultation.

 

A large component of the project is on-ground works, including Gorse containment, Chilean Needle Grass identification and management workshops, and a two stage program to reduce the density of Serrated Tussock in target areas by eradicating outlying infestations and conducting awareness raising and identification and management workshops throughout the community.

 

 

 

NIWAC in conjunction with the New England North West Landcare Networks gratefully acknowledge the valuable contribution the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA makes to the delivery of regional weed control programs.