Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Sustainability and Environment

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

• Rising dog attacks concerns in East Gippsland highlight the need for responsible ownership and community safety
  East Gippsland has seen over 140 dog attacks last year, 31 this year. Council urges responsible ownership, leashing, and secure confinement to keep pets, people, and public spaces safe.
• David Littleproud says farmers won major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds
  Nationals Leader David Littleproud says farmers have won a major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds.
• Gippsland Water completes major Warragul sewer upgrade, boosting capacity and supporting town’s rapid growth and future reliability
  Gippsland Water has completed a 1.5-kilometre Warragul sewer upgrade, increasing capacity, improving reliability, supporting population growth, and protecting the environment, including relocation of threatened local species during construction.
• One Gippsland urges new major event to replace MotoGP, boosting tourism and regional economy
  One Gippsland urges the 2026 Victorian budget to replace MotoGP with a new major event, boosting tourism, jobs, and economic growth while supporting cultural, nature-based, and renewable energy initiatives.
• South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
  South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months.
• South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
  South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months.
• Latrobe City Council approves funding for three major events, boosting tourism and generating over $6.5M economic impact
  Latrobe City Council will fund three major events, including ProMX, Football Victoria Championships, and Junior International Tennis, generating over $6.5 million economic impact and boosting local tourism and community engagement.
• Darren Chester celebrated Buchan’s major redevelopment, creating a safer, welcoming community sporting hub
  Buchan Recreation Reserve has opened a $6 million pavilion and change rooms, delivering modern community sport facilities. Darren Chester celebrated completion, praising local builder Cadbuild and years of community advocacy effort.
• Mallacoota Golf Course reopens after bushfire rebuild, marking major community recovery milestone and regional investment success
  Mallacoota Golf Course officially reopens after Black Summer bushfires, marking $2 million redevelopment, community recovery, and celebration of volunteers, local investment, and regional sporting facilities in the Mallacoota-Genoa district.
• Nationals and Liberals propose tougher penalties to protect war memorials and historic sites from vandalism and desecration
  A Nationals and Liberal government would introduce tougher laws to protect war memorials and historic sites, imposing up to 10 years’ jail for vandalism and desecration.
• Labor government backs Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve upgrades with major investment in cricket, football and community facilities
  Works have begun on Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve, delivering oval upgrades, lighting, new changerooms, and improvements through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, boosting community sport, events, jobs, and local participation.
• East Gippsland Shire Council adopts pool safety report, confirming closure, major repair costs and future aquatic strategy planning
  East Gippsland Shire Council adopts safety assessment of Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool, confirming major repair costs, closure due to risks, and future review through an aquatic strategy process.
• Kay Street Car Park construction progressing smoothly, delivering major new parking capacity for Traralgon CBD by 2026
  Construction of Traralgon’s five-level Kay Street Car Park is progressing on schedule for mid-2026, delivering 430 new CBD spaces and supporting local businesses, accessibility, and future regional growth.
• Baw Baw Shire Council releases 2024/25 Annual Report highlighting growth, major projects and community achievements
  Baw Baw Shire Council’s 2024/25 Annual Report highlights population growth, major projects, community grants, infrastructure upgrades, and continued focus on sustainable, connected, and thriving local communities.
• Explore Mitchell River National Park’s dramatic gorges, lush rainforest, and sacred Aboriginal sites on the Den of Nargun Loop Walk
  Discover Mitchell River National Park’s dramatic gorges, razorback ridges, and lush rainforest on the Den of Nargun Loop Walk, a sacred Aboriginal site northeast of Sale, 3¼ hours from Melbourne.
• Latrobe City dog owner ordered to pay $17,000 after serious attack leads to dogs' destruction order
  A Latrobe City dog owner must pay more than $17,000 after a serious dog attack. Two dogs were ordered destroyed, with council urging owners to securely contain and control pets to protect the community.
• Bass Coast Shire Council demands urgent support as Phillip Island loses second major international motorsport event
  Bass Coast says losing World Superbikes after MotoGP is another major blow, hurting Phillip Island businesses, tourism and jobs, and is urging the Victorian Government to deliver investment, support and replacement opportunities.
• Discover Noojee historic Trestle Bridge, explore lush forests, rail trails, waterfalls, and heritage sites in charming old timber town
  Explore Noojee historic trestle bridge, Victoria’s tallest, stroll rail trails, chase waterfalls, fish the Latrobe River, and enjoy cafés, pubs, lush forests, and the majestic Ada Tree nearby.
• Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
  Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase.
• Baw Baw Shire adopts $127 million 2026/27 Budget with record roads investment and major community projects
  Baw Baw Shire has adopted its $127 million 2026/27 Budget, featuring a record $38.74 million for road renewals, a new Warragul Library and Learning Centre, and major community infrastructure projects.
• Gippsland Water plants 10,000 native trees after customers back regional biodiversity and climate action initiative
  Gippsland Water is planting 10,000 native trees and shrubs after 77 per cent of surveyed customers supported the initiative, boosting biodiversity, restoring habitats and advancing its net zero by 2030 goals.
• Latrobe City renames tourism committee, expands strategic role to strengthen visitor economy outcomes and major events planning
  Latrobe City Council has renamed its tourism committee as the Visitor Economy Advisory Committee, broadening its strategic role to guide tourism, major events and economic outcomes, with refreshed membership processes.
• Melina Bath urges Labor Minister to reinstate Latrobe Valley town bus timetable after changes as commuters report major daily disruptions
  The new Latrobe Valley PTV bus timetable has disrupted access to essential services, prompting Nationals’ Melina Bath to request reinstating the previous schedule to better serve commuters, students, and vulnerable residents.
• Inverloch students plant 1,000 indigenous plants to strengthen wildlife corridor and boost regional biodiversity conservation
  Twenty Inverloch Kongwak Primary School students planted 1,000 indigenous plants, helping create a wildlife corridor that supports native species and strengthens regional biodiversity.
• Baw Baw Shire Council adopts $127M budget with record road investment and major projects
  Baw Baw Shire has adopted its $127 million 2026/27 budget, featuring record road funding, a new Warragul library, community projects and infrastructure works aimed at supporting a sustainable, healthy and thriving community.
• Latrobe City events drive tourism, economic growth and community engagement across the region
  Latrobe City hosted major sporting and cultural events in 2024 - 25, attracting over 27,000 attendees and generating $23.5 million in economic impact, reinforcing the region's growing reputation as an events hub.
• Labor Budget delivers cost-of-living relief and regional investment across Eastern Victoria’s services
  Labor’s Budget delivers cost-of-living relief and major investment across Eastern Victoria, including transport discounts, health and education funding, and improved regional infrastructure and services.
• East Gippsland Council advances regional projects, boosting infrastructure, accessibility, recreation, resilience and growth
  East Gippsland Council progresses major projects, enhancing community facilities, infrastructure, accessibility, resilience, and recreational opportunities across Bairnsdale, Buchan, Mallacoota, Cann River, Paynesville, and surrounding areas.
• East Gippsland Council advances regional projects, improving facilities, accessibility, resilience and growth
  East Gippsland Council is delivering major regional projects, upgrades, improving accessibility, supporting resilience, and enhancing infrastructure across towns including Bairnsdale, Buchan, Mallacoota, Cann River, and Paynesville.
• East Gippsland Council streamlines procurement, connecting suppliers through VendorPanel online
  East Gippsland Council now manages major procurement through VendorPanel, giving local, regional, and national suppliers fair, simple access to opportunities while supporting transparency, competition, and local economic growth.
• Melina Bath questioned the reliability, accuracy and credibility of the Allan government's bushfire risk management
  A VAGO report found major shortcomings in Victoria's bushfire risk modelling and fuel reduction planning, prompting Nationals MP Melina Bath to criticise the Allan government's bushfire preparedness and management.
• Morwell Gun Club unveils world-class olympic trap shooting upgrades, boosting training, competition and accessibility
  Morwell Gun Club completed major upgrades under the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, including new Olympic trap ranges, lighting, shelters and facilities, boosting training, accessibility, local jobs and Gippsland’s sporting opportunities.