NSW Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan - Department of ...
NSW Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan - Department of ...
NSW Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan - Department of ...
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<strong>Threat</strong> <strong>Abatement</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> - Invasion <strong>of</strong> native plant communities by Chrysanthemoides monilifera<br />
< preventing the further introduction and spread <strong>of</strong> bitou bush<br />
< minimising the adverse impacts <strong>of</strong> bitou bush on biodiversity<br />
< expanding the commitment to the management <strong>of</strong> bitou bush across all sectors (e.g.<br />
governments, community and private).<br />
The strategy provides a framework for the development <strong>of</strong> regional and local management plans,<br />
which direct on-ground action. One <strong>of</strong> its key actions is the preparation <strong>of</strong> a threat abatement plan<br />
for bitou bush in New South Wales.<br />
<strong>NSW</strong> North Coast bitou bush management strategy<br />
The <strong>NSW</strong> North Coast bitou bush management strategy (Scanlon 2001) was prepared by the<br />
North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee to coordinate bitou bush control by a number <strong>of</strong><br />
stakeholders including community groups. This strategy has three objectives:<br />
< coordinate management between stakeholders and compile all relevant information<br />
< raise community awareness and involvement<br />
< implement on-ground integrated management.<br />
In addition to the strategy, the North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee is required by the <strong>NSW</strong><br />
Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee (NWAC) to prepare Regional Management <strong>Plan</strong>s (RMPs)<br />
for all noxious weed species in their region in accordance with the NW Act. These RMPs outline<br />
the actions and responsibilities <strong>of</strong> stakeholders for noxious weed control within a given time<br />
frame. They are also the mechanism by which local control authorities (LCAs) obtain funding for<br />
noxious weed control from the <strong>NSW</strong> Government’s Noxious Weeds Fund.<br />
<strong>NSW</strong> South Coast bitou bush strategy<br />
The Southern Tablelands and South Coast Noxious <strong>Plan</strong>ts Committee prepared the <strong>NSW</strong> South<br />
Coast regional bitou bush strategy (see Broese van Groenou and Wolfenden 2002) to coordinate<br />
bitou bush control by a number <strong>of</strong> stakeholders including community groups. The strategy sets out<br />
four regional priorities:<br />
< prevent the further introduction and spread <strong>of</strong> bitou bush<br />
< give high priority to control in lightly infested areas<br />
< reduce adverse impacts <strong>of</strong> bitou bush on biodiversity, aesthetic and recreational value<br />
<strong>of</strong> public lands<br />
< support concerted control programs that result in shifting the southern containment line<br />
north.<br />
The South Coast <strong>Bitou</strong> <strong>Bush</strong> Task Force was formed to address bitou bush management in<br />
southern New South Wales (i.e. from the Illawarra to the Victorian border). This task force<br />
oversees the implementation <strong>of</strong> the South Coast regional bitou bush strategy. In addition, the<br />
NWAC requires the preparation <strong>of</strong> an RMP for all noxious weed species.<br />
Local government strategies<br />
Many North Coast councils or LCAs (i.e. Byron, Greater Taree, Hastings, Great Lakes, Kempsey,<br />
Bellingen, Nambucca, Port Stephens, Tweed Shire) have developed local bitou bush management<br />
strategies (see Port Stephens Coastal Weed Action Group 1997; Gerrand 2000). These strategies:<br />
< identify the levels <strong>of</strong> bitou bush infestation in the local government area<br />
< highlight significant environmental features<br />
< identify control priorities which reflect environmental significance, heritage values and<br />
visual amenity<br />
< provide appropriate control mechanisms and propose key actions and time frames to<br />
facilitate on-ground action.<br />
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