AFTER several years of unseasonably high rainfall, woody weeds have further spread across the Mansfield Shire.
Our region is no stranger to woody weeds, with blackberry, briar rose, broom, gorse and thistle just a few that are causing headaches for farmers and landholders regionally.
These woody weeds are controlled weeds within the Mansfield Shire and greater Goulburn Broken Catchment.
This means landholders have the responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent the growth and spread of these weeds on their land.
Woody weeds, particularly blackberry, are considered a serious environmental and agricultural threat and are highly invasive.
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Impenetrable thickets provide harbour and food for pest animals animal such as rabbits, deer, foxes, starlings, and blackbirds and restrict access to watercourses for grazing animals.
Blackberry also serves to outcompete and eliminate other vegetation and pastures.
Up2Us Landcare Facilitator, Kim Magnay, said social and health impacts to landholders are heightened as “Woody weeds, like blackberry, choke watercourses, restricting access and reducing overall amenity".
"Many woody weeds feature sharp thorns making them something to be avoided," said Kim.
"Blackberry also increase fire risk as dead canes from bushes are highly flammable.”
For the past seven years, Up2Us Landcare Alliance has received funding from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority through funding from the State Government and Victorian Landcare Program, to support landholders in the shire tackle their woody weeds.
Up2Us offers support to manage woody weeds on private property in three ways;
• Free site visits to assess woody weed presence and development of a multi-year management plan.
• Financial subsidies
• 200-litre spray unit with 30 metre hose for hire.
Financial support is available for landholders who either purchase woody weed specific herbicides or utilise the services of a weed contractor.
Up2Us will subsidise 50 per cent of costs up to $350.
Up2Us Project Officer, Rhiannon Quigley, said “We know there are many barriers for landholders to managing weeds, such as technical knowledge, access to equipment, time, and money.
"Our funding is geared to address some of these barriers to increase landholder success in weed control."
Up2Us Landcare Alliance staff actively seek funding to continue to offer the woody weed control program and incentives each year.
By growing and maintaining active memberships in Landcare groups, Up2Us is well positioned to apply for future funding opportunities, ensuring rebates and financial incentives are accessible in our region long-term.
Kim said “The value of joining a local Landcare group can be very rewarding to both the individual and the community, we encourage people to either take up membership with their local Landcare group or sign up to our fortnightly newsletter."
Up2Us Landcare Alliance will be hosting a woody weed field day in March.
This session aims to assist landholders with effective control of blackberries and other woody weeds, covering:
• Herbicide use and the environment,
• Control techniques,
• When to tackle woody weeds
If you have a woody weed problem on your property, please start a program to eradicate the plants.
This can be done by physical means, suitable for small areas, or start a spraying program.
Spraying can commence after the last frost in November until the first frost, in April.
If this year’s spread looks impressive, next year’s will be huge.
For further information on this event and managing woody weeds, please, contact the Up2Us Office on 57791593 or via email at landcare2@up2us.org.au.
