Pampas grass policy - South East Natural Resources Management ...

Declared Plant Policy
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Pampas grass (Cortaderia species)
Biology
Pampas grasses are a genus of large perennial tussock grasses growing to a height of 2 – 6
metres. Leaves are greyish with pale yellow base and rough serrated edges. Flowers occur
in a dense panicle 25-100 cm on a stem to 3m long. Flower heads are feathery in
appearance and are white to cream in colour. Plants are either female or bisexual, with
female plants requiring pollination by bisexual plants. Seeds germinate in spring with
multiple tillers and rhizomes produced over time. Most plants will not flower in their first year.
Pink Pampas grass (C. jubata) is the only species declared under the NRM Act.
Dispersal
Pampas grass was originally introduced to Australia from South America. Pampas grasses
were widely established as ornamental garden plants. Seed is easily spread by wind
resulting in widespread dispersal as seedlings readily establish on bare ground. If a male or
hermaphrodite plants are planted, all females in the area will start producing seed.
Impacts
Pampas grass can occupy pine plantations after harvesting and compete with the reestablishment
of pine seedlings. Pampas grass forms dense infestations changing the
structure of the communities it invades. It provides nesting sites for introduced species and
leaves easily cut skin and cause skin irritation when handled.
Current distribution
A weed of most ecosystems, pampas grass likes sunny places and disturbed places like
roadsides.
Both Cortaderia sellona and C jubata are present in the South East. C. selloana is common
as ornamental garden plantings, and C. jubata has been identified as a wild population in
disturbed quarry sites west of Mount Gambier.
Pampas grass policy for the SE NRM region 1

Declared Plant Policy
Pampas grass policy for the SE NRM region 2

Declared Plant Policy
REGIONAL PRIORITY
Pampas grass was assessed during the South East Weed Risk Assessment project.
Pampas grass is predominately a weed of native vegetation and forestry areas.
Pampas grass was included in the top 15 primary industry weeds for the South East in the
results of the assessment.
The table below outlines the management actions required and relative priorities for pampas
grass in each landuse:
Aquatic Crop/pasture Forestry Grazing Irrigated Native
Vegetation
N/A N/A Contain N/A N/A Destroy
Spread
Infestations
Perennial
Horticulture
N/A
Management
Action
Relative
priority - - 3 - - 2 - -
N/A – not assessed – low priority for this landuse
NP – not assessed – not present in this landuse
AIMS:
1. To protect forestry from the reduction in productivity caused by pampas grass.
2. To protect natural environments from the loss of biodiversity caused by pampas
grass.
3. To reduce the distribution and density of Cortaderia species across the South East.
OBJECTIVES:
• Identification of the full extent of pampas grass infestations in the South East.
• Enforce control of pink pampas grass infestations to prevent spread to other areas.
• Increase awareness about the impacts of pampas grass.
• Investigate the impacts of non-declared pampas grasses in the South East.
IMPLEMENTATION
State Level
• Prohibit the sale and distribution of pink pampas grass into and within the State.
Regional Priority Actions for the SE NRM Board
• Authorised Officers to inspect, map and monitor all infestations of pampas grass.
• Implement an awareness campaign targeting the impacts of pampas grass in
agricultural industries and natural environments to encourage voluntary compliance.
• Control of non-declared pampas grasses encouraged in all situations.
• Control of pink pampas grass enforced in all situations.
• Investigate integrated control options for pampas grass and implement as
appropriate.
Urban
N/A
Pampas grass policy for the SE NRM region 3

Declared Plant Policy
• Seek external funding for projects relating to pampas grass control which will prevent
further spread.
• Consider the merits of declaring C. selloana.
Local action
• Landholders to implement active control programs according to seasonal conditions
and the instructions of the Authorised Officer.
DECLARATIONS
The following sections of the NRM Act apply to pink pampas grass only in all Local
Government areas in the South East NRM region:
175 (1)
(2)
177 (1)
(2)
180 (1)
(2)
(3)
182 (1)
(3)
Cannot bring the plant into the region
Cannot transport the plant or anything with the plant in it
Cannot sell the plant
Cannot sell any produce / goods carrying the plant
Land owner must notify the NRM authority of the presence of
the plant on their land
NRM authority must notify the Chief Officer
Chief Officer must notify NRM Authority
Land owner must destroy the plant on their land
Land owner must take prescribed measures for the control of
the plant on their land
185 (1) NRM authority may recover costs for control of weeds on
roadsides from adjoining land owners
Implementation
Responsibility of Operations Manager
Periodic Review
Responsibility of Operations Manager
Date endorsed by the SENRMB 22 March 2007
Date scheduled for review 2012
Version Date Version Reference Sections Description of Changes
March 2007 1 Whole Document Endorsed By SENRM Board
Released to public
March 2011 2 Whole document Review and update of distribution maps
Pampas grass policy for the SE NRM region 4