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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 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. 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. Mountain Heights School in
Queenstown has formed 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.
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