City urges crackdown on serrated tussock

A FAST-spreading noxious weed will start to seed in late spring across the region, and the City of Greater Geelong is urging rural landowners to take measures to control it now.

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) can have disastrous environmental and agricultural impacts if left unchecked.

Locally, the worst infestations have historically occurred on farmland in Anakie, Lara and Little River, but the species can be found anywhere in the municipality, including lifestyle blocks and in residential gardens.

Starting in the coming weeks, the city will be controlling serrated tussock on 311 rural roadsides and on city-managed land through to late September.

In partnership with the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party and Agriculture Victoria, the city is also reminding landowners of their responsibility to act against serrated tussock and help prevent its spread to neighbouring areas.

Serrated tussock is both a Weed of National Significance and a declared noxious weed under the Catchment and Land Protection (CaLP) Act 1994.

Every landowner has a responsibility to prevent the growth and spread of serrated tussock on their land. Each serrated tussock plant can produce up to 100,000 seeds a year, which can be blown several kilometres away and infest new areas.

Seed can also be spread via moving water, machinery, livestock or in hay.

Serrated tussock can be controlled with registered herbicide, manual removal or cultivation.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said by spraying in late winter or early spring, property owners could control plants as soon as they appeared and before they seed.

“Livestock can become very ill or even die when they eat serrated tussock because they are unable to digest it, while heavy infestations can also lead to loss of pasture and native grasses,” he said.

“Controlling serrated tussock on council land and roadsides will be a priority for our team over the coming weeks and we’re asking that all landowners also prioritise this work.

“By working together, we can help protect our environment and our local farming economy.”

Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party community engagement officer Ivan Carter said serrated tussock had a fine leaf and would roll smoothly between the index finger and thumb, while native tussocks felt as though they had flat edges.

“The leaves also feel rough when you run your fingers downwards due to fine serrations,” he said.

“A mature serrated tussock plant can produce thousands of seeds in a season, blowing up to 20km from the parent plant.

“Having a healthy pasture and competitive ground cover is one of the most important aspects to weed management.

“Serrated tussock is a prime example of a weed that does not like competition and well-established pastures.”

Agriculture Victoria leading biosecurity officer Luke Vinton said effective long-term control of established invasives such as serrated tussock was best achieved when everyone in the community is working together.

For more information on how to identify and control serrated tussock, head to serratedtussock.com

For more advice and information on serrated tussock management, phone Agriculture Victoria on 136 186.