Taking local action on weeds

In 2016 GLENRAC formed a new sub-committee to the Committee of Management. The purpose of the sub-committee was to provide input into the draft Regional Weeds Plan but the results of the sub-committee have delivered much more.

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The issue

A weed is defined as any plant growing where it is not wanted. Weeds by default are all around us. In 2016, the GLENRAC weeds sub-committee set about defining where GLENRAC should concentrate our efforts in community engagement activities in relation to weeds. The sub-committee first prioritised the impacts of weeds known to be present or likely to be present in the future, in our community of interest. Impacts were defined as threats to human and/or animal health, environmental and/or economic impacts.

The solution

The weeds list was prioritised by category into areas high, medium and low concern. The following weeds were identified as weeds of High Concern (The Ugly 7) - Serrated tussock; St Johns Wort; Honey locust; Giant Parramatta Grass; Whiskey Grass; Privet spp. and Fireweed. Not all weeds are present in our community of interest but part of the process is to encourage land managers to get new plants on their property identified. GLENRAC has completed a number of weeds projects in the past 10 years, and past project work has helped to inform the review process. The weeds list will also help develop activities in GLENRAC's annual Action Plan and will help inform staff when developing project applications for funding for community capacity building activities and onground works. GLENRAC staff have already started working with partner organisations to raise awareness of 'The 'Ugly 7'.

The impact

The formation of the sub-committee and their input created a plan of action that is both locally targeted and locally relevant. The process has helped to create new relationships and skills within the GLENRAC Committee of Management. The actual activities related to the plan have only started to roll out in October 2017 to coincide with the summer growing season. The first display was hosted by Landmark in the main street of Glen Innes. This display featured Serrated Tussock, matching the timing of when the plant flowers and can be easily identified and not confused with it's 'look alike' native the Poa tussock. GLENRAC hopes that the outcome of the weeds activities will be to raise awareness of weeds across our community and promote positive land stewardship by both private and public land managers.

Author: Kylie Falconer