Section 5 Case studies - Weeds Australia

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Case Study 5 Council incentive programs Summary The problem of managing weed infestations in peri-urban communities is made complex by the interaction of many different factors arising from the proximity of densely settled communities and sparsely settled farming lands. The Victorian municipalities of Melton Shire and the City of Whittlesea have implemented effective but different strategies to manage serrated tussock infestations. The problem In the 1990s there was considerable land degradation within Melton Shire. Serrated tussock infestations were particularly severe, with some properties containing little other vegetation. Control of the weed was ad hoc and reinfestation a continuous problem. The City of Whittlesea, located on Melbourne’s northern-fringe, also recognised serrated tussock as a significant problem, although tussock infestations were isolated. Council particularly identified roadside reserves as prime avenues for the spread of serrated tussock. These linear reserves often contain remnant native grassland, which are easily impacted by fragmentation and – due to long borders – the edge-effects of weeds. Responsibility for weed management on urban reserves is often a grey area. Weeds can be left unmanaged, impacting upon roadside safety, vegetation quality, and spreading into conservation zones and rural areas. What has been done In the late 1990s, Melton Shire Council decided to implement an innovative Environmental Enhancement Policy (EEP) which included a rebate available to all land holders with properties over two hectares who carry out serrated tussock control works. To obtain the rebate, a land holder must first lodge a Proposed Works Forms detailing intended works to control serrated tussock. Council officers then visit the property to assess whether the works have been completed. If so, the rebate is given. In addition to inspections, Council officers provide land holders with advice on how to control serrated tussock and other weeds, and pest animals and plants. Key messages • Incentive programs are an effective approach to motivating land managers to control serrated tussock. • Incentive programs alone must be backed by capacity building opportunities and underscored by an understanding of the consequences of non-compliance. • In addition, it is important that key sources of infestation are continuously and effectively controlled. The EEP has also focused Council’s efforts on maintaining its own reserves, including roadsides, in a weed free (especially serrated tussock free) state. To further assist rural land owners, Council offers approximately $100,000 in Green Wedge Grants per year. The basis for these grants is are 1995 National Heritage Trust (NHT) funds provided for three years by the Australian Government to conserve significant environmental features, such as endangered native grasslands. In one instance, Melton Council purchased a property with a severe serrated tussock infestation that nevertheless contained state and nationally significant flora and fauna, and had geological features worth protecting. The property is situated on a high point in a flat landscape and serrated tussock seed blew each year from the property into the surrounding lands. Council now works with the local Landcare group and Trust for Nature to restore and maintain the site. In 2005, the City of Whittlesea decided on a strategy to eliminate all serrated tussock infestations within its municipality over five years. Actions taken are: • Mapping: annual weed mapping exercises identify all serrated tussock infestations on roadsides, and public and private properties to provide information for targeted control exercises. In 2007 alone, over 1600 inspections were carried out. 98
Urban serrated tussock infestations are being targeted for control. Natasha Baldyga Roadside serrated tussock control. Natasha Baldyga • Roadside reserves: council invests considerable resources to control serrated tussock on its own roadsides and nature strips. In addition, it utilises Vic Roads Priority Weed Control Funding to manage arterial road reserves. Council employs only qualified environmental weed control contractors who specialise in grassy weed identification and control for these weeds. • Incentive programs for land holders: council contacts land managers with serrated tussock infestations to ensure they are aware of the infestations then provides these land managers with information about serrated tussock, its potentially adverse impacts and the legal requirement for land owners to control the weed. Council refers those few land managers who do not take action to the Department of Primary Industries, which can require compliance under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. • Sustainable Land Management Rebate Scheme: council introduced this scheme in 2005 to further encourage land holders to implement sustainable land management practices, including weed control. Currently there are in excess of 90 properties involved in this voluntary scheme. 99
Page 1 and 2: Section 5 Case studies 1. Changing
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Page 5 and 6: Case Study 2 Pasture management Sum
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Section 5 Case studies - Weeds Australia

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