Project Description: The employment of a project officer to co-ordinate the implementation of the West Coast Weed and Fire Management Strategy (2001).

Type of Activity: On-ground works and capacity building.

Timing: One year project.  Ends September 2005, funds for continuation of project currenlty being sourced.

Region: Cradle Coast NRM

Region's Priorities addressed through this project:

• Weeds, Pests and Disease
• Community Capacity Building

Partners: West Coast Fire and Weed Group which represented DIER, West Coast Council, Forestry Tasmania, Copper Mines Tasmania, Cradle Coast NRM, Parks and Wildlife Service, Hydro Tasmania.

Form of Investment:

• Natural Heritage Trust cash contribution of $84 550
• In-kind support from major land managers totalling $108 000

Achievements:

• More co-ordinated weed control activities on the West Coast.
• Prepared a weed and fire plan based on the priorities and recommendations identified in the West Coast Weed and Fire Management Strategy.
• Act as a link between the broader community and major stakeholders sharing and exchanging skills, resources and knowledge to produce cost effective, direct and tangible on-ground improvements.

How the project came about: The West Coast Fire and Weeds Group approached Cradle Coast NRM to request financial assistance to implement the 2001 strategy.  NRM researched potential funding opportunities to match the project.  NRM also provided advice and assistance in developing the successful grant application which eventually attracted NHT funding.  NRM’s ongoing role is in project promotion and ongoing advice. 

How you can get involved: Contact the project manager, Andrew Laird on 6471 4700 or alaird@westcoast.tas.gov.au

By Andrew Laird

Have you noticed the kilometres of dead weeds while driving on West Coast roads? This has come about through the West Coast community, industry, local and state government working together to reach a shared goal on a common issue – weeds!

Work has been carried out for the past few years and has progressed considerably in recent months through the implementation of the West Coast Weed and Fire Strategy.

Success in controlling weeds has essentially been from the willingness of representatives on the West Coast Weed and Fire Management Group to commit time and resources to weed control. Funding from the Natural Heritage Trust through Cradle Coast NRM for a project officer to coordinate activities has also led to improved outcomes.

Such commitments have enabled many hectares of weeds to be treated this summer. In particular the contribution of the Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources (DIER) is to be commended. DIER has made a significant impact on weed infestations by engaging contractors to control environmental weeds adjacent to major arterial roads throughout the West Coast. Significant gorse, broom and blackberry infestations have been sprayed along the Murchison Highway (between Rosebery and Zeehan), Henty Road, the Lyell Highway (between Strahan and Queenstown) and the Zeehan Highway.

In addition to the major works conducted by DIER there have been many other weed control measures undertaken this summer. In general the efforts of stakeholders that include West Coast Council, Forestry Tasmania, and Parks and Wildlife (and the project officer) have focused on follow up measures in areas previously treated and treating small patches of weeds before they become larger and more difficult to treat. Follow up is essential generally due to seed in the soil germinating. Gorse and broom (in particular) generate a large seed bank in the soil after occupying a site for several years. (There can be up to 100,000 seeds per square metre of soil under mature gorse plants.) After treatment of the mature plants regeneration of seed in the soil will occur. It is imperative that the regrowth is targeted before it recolonises the site and essentially negates the previous weed control efforts.

Community organisations on the West Coast have also continued to provide support and enthusiasm for weed control measures. Zeehan Landcare is very active in weed control in the greater Zeehan area. The Friends of the Wild West Coast continue to implement their management plan for the Strahan foreshore. The foreshore walking track is steadily being improved as weeds are removed and replaced with native vegetation propagated from local seed.

Members of the Trial Harbour Progress Association and the greater Trial Harbour community have removed Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias) and are now formulating a weed management plan for the entire town and surrounding areas. Members of the Rosebery Development Association are also keen weed busters managing and controlling gorse and broom in remote and inaccessible areas.

Schools are also enthusiastically taking up the weed challenge throughout the West Coast. This year Mountain Heights School in Queenstown is forming a Landcare group. The group will work in and near the school grounds as well as throughout the greater Queenstown community. Rosebery District High School will this year attempt to bring their plant propagation and nursery facilities on line. Other schools, community groups and industry will use the plants to revegetate and rehabilitate previously weedy areas.

Essentially weed control on the West Coast has had a significant boost

due to the efforts of industry, land managers, landholders, community groups, our schools and individuals.

The overall level of awareness regarding the need for effective weed control has increased and there is a general willingness within the community to “do the right thing”. If this impetus can be maintained over the next 3-5 years then weed infestations on the West Coast will be dramatically reduced.

The net benefits to the community from such a result are considerable (money saved, time saved, landscape values restored, fire hazard reduced) and all participants should be encouraged to continue their involvement for the foreseeable future.

Get more involved: contact Andrew Laird at the West Coast Council in Zeehan on 6471 4700.

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