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Pest Plant Coordinator appointed in LatrobeA ‘Pest Plant Coordinator’ has been appointed to provide a focal point for dealing with local weed related issues. The part-time position has been take up by Peter Steller who will work from Latrobe City Council offices. By Latrobe City Council - 9th July 2003 - Back to News The position has been funded through a State Government grant with support from West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Landcare, and Latrobe City Council.
Mr Steller said that weeds in the Latrobe Valley and environs were of great concern, costing land managers $100,000 each year. "With a concerted effort we can reduce the number of weeds, and therefore reduce the amount of money spent controlling this pest," Mr Steller said.
"Weeds affect agricultural productivity by competing with agricultural plants for moisture, nutrients and light, or by poisoning livestock. They can also reduce yields by interfering with agricultural practices. Harvesting, for example, can be made difficult if pest plants become entangled in machinery," Mr Steller explained.
Latrobe City’s Sustainability and Environment Manager, Kevin Roberts, said that people often tend to think of weed invasion as being only an agricultural problem. "This is simply not the case. In Victoria, as in other parts of the world, environmental weeds also threaten biodiversity by eliminating native plant species, and altering or destroying the habitat of native fauna. As such, the responsibility for weed control and eradication affects every one of us,’ Mr Roberts explained.
"Because of the unique nature of Australian vegetation which has evolved in relative isolation from the rest of the world, Australia is particularly affected by environmental weeds," Mr Roberts said.
"Problems caused by invading weeds vary depending on many factors including the weed species involved, and the type and location of the vegetation formation being invaded.
"Along roadsides, grassy weeds increase fire hazards and threaten native grassland remnants that provide important habitat for endangered native species. Willow trees found along streamsides and waterways eliminate native vegetation, change water flows, increase bank erosion, and destroy habitat for native fish and other fauna; and in forests, vines smother native plants causing the loss of understorey vegetation," Mr Roberts said.
In welcoming Mr Steller’s appointment, Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, said that environmental weeds also threatened income derived from other important Victorian industries such as tourism and forestry.
"The Dandenong Ranges National Park for example, is renowned for its forests and wildlife, and receives more than a million visitors per year. The Superb Lyrebird is a key wildlife attraction for local and overseas tourists. Yet the Lyrebird’s survival within the park is threatened by weeds such as ‘Wandering Jew’ and ‘English Ivy’ which form a dense cover on the forest floor, preventing the Lyrebird from scratching into the forest litter for food.
"These weeds are likely to have ‘escaped’ from people’s gardens and the invasive spread is now taking its toll. It’s extremely important that residents living near reserves here in Latrobe City ensure they are not contributing to the problem by allowing weeds from their property to spread, or disposing of garden waste inappropriately," Cr Middlemiss said.
Mr Steller said that residents who have questions about weeds, or are not sure about a particular plant growing in their area can contact him to help resolve the issues. A weed identification booklet is also now available at Latrobe City offices, and Parks Victoria, Traralgon Office.
For more information Mr Steller can be contacted at Latrobe City Council, telephone 1300 367 700, or mobile 0412 426 958.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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