Time to stamp out Cape Tulip weed

SPRING has sprung, and the Surf Coast Shire says now is the time to identify and control the persistent and toxic noxious weed Cape Tulip.

The weed occurs mainly in the Winchelsea and Buckley areas and can be difficult to control because of its spreading habit and ability to remain dormant in the soil.

However, spring provides the best opportunity to control the weed through either manual weeding or the use of a suitable herbicide.

The shire is controlling Cape Tulip on municipal roadsides and other Council-owned or managed land and is calling on land owners to join the fight.

This year marks the fifth year of the Cape Tulip program, with landowners in the area playing a role in preventing the growth and spread of the weed.

The shire has sent letters to approximately 150 landholders south of the Princes Highway in Winchelsea and Buckley, seeking their support to control Cape Tulip.

Winchelsea ward Councillor Carol McGregor said the control of Cape Tulip required a persistent approach.

“It grows from corms – which are underground stems – and produces new corms each year.

“Sixty per cent of the stems can remain dormant in soil and spraying will not kill them. They can then take two to three years to flower.”

Fellow Winchelsea ward Councillor Heather Wellington said herbicide treatment was effective when the plant has just flowered and weeding by hand can be effective when the soil is wet.

“Landowners are encouraged to either start or continue to implement their own Cape Tulip weed control program.”

Cape Tulip is a declared noxious weed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. People should contact the Surf Coast Shire if they observe Cape Tulip on roadsides or if there are any enquiries regarding the shire’s roadside weed control works.