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Fifty Sites Announced For Major Attack On Blackberries

Blackberry plants infected with a biological rust will be planted at fifty sites across the state as part of a major attack on infestations along boundaries between public and private land.

By DSE & Parks Victoria - 7th March 2006 - Back to News

The $600,000 project, a joint initiative between the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria, will help protect and improve biodiversity on public land and provide greater protection for adjoining private property.

Regional Coordinator of DSE's Good Neighbour Initiative Program, Stefan Kaiser, said the sites were selected following a comprehensive expression of interest and evaluation process.

"Blackberry is one of the state’s most widespread noxious weeds. It causes major environmental and economic damage and affects people’s enjoyment of our parks and forests," Mr Kaiser said.

"The blackberry fungus project is a genuine partnership between private and public land managers and will help in meeting the State Government’s commitment to being a good neighbour."

The control program is funded through the Weeds and Pests on Public Land Initiative, which is part of the Victorian Government’s $45 million investment in weeds and pest management in Victoria in 2005/06.

Parks Victoria Project Manager, Glen Mawson, said each site will receive 10 potted plants infected with the rust or a direct application using a liquid formula.

"The fungus has been specially selected to cause maximum damage to a large number of the 40-plus types of blackberry currently growing in Victoria, without causing damage to other plants or animals," Mr Mawson said.

"The biological control alone will not eradicate blackberry, but plants will be weakened, making other forms of control more effective in the long term.

"Initial release sites will target the boundary of public and private land and it is expected that in time the rust will spread to other plants within the infestation."

As part of the project public land managers will work in partnership with the local community to ensure effective blackberry control across both public and private land.

A series of workshops will be held in Frankston, Traralgon, Wodonga, Daylesford and Bairnsdale starting next week to distribute the plants and brief participants on the program.

Further information on the Blackberry Control Program is available from www.dse.vic.gov.au or by calling the Customer Service Centre on 136 186

The Blackberry Rust Sites are:

• Aberfeldy
• Apollo Bay
• Baddaginnie
• Bairnsdale
• Bangholme
• Gright
• Cann River
• Carpendeit
• Castlemaine
• Cheshunt
• Churchill
• Daylesford
• Eganstown
• Eltham
• Forrest
• Geelong
• Genoa
• Goongerah
• Hepburn
• Kiewa Valley
• Lavers Hill
• Longwarry
• Lorne
• Mansfield
• Mitta Mitta
• Myrtleford
• Narrawong
• Narre Warren
• Newport
• Poowong
• Port Campbell
• Princetown
• Rosebud
• Sale
• Scoresby
• Seymour
• Shelford
• South Geelong
• South Morang
• Surrey Hills
• Sutton Grange
• Swifts Creek
• Tallangatta
• Trentham
• Wandiligong
• Warrenbayne
• Whitlands

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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