15.07.2013 Views

NSW Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan - Department of ...

NSW Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan - Department of ...

NSW Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan - Department of ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

<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 />

15

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!