Group toils to remove weeds

A BLITZ on weeds is currently happening in the Geelong region, and will soon be moving to the Surf Coast and Bellarine.

The program, coordinated by Trust for Nature and the Wathuarong Aboriginal Cooperative, aims to control weeds on land protected by conservation covenants.

The coming months will see groups target weeds in places including Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Batesford, Meredith, Leopold, Torquay and Point Lonsdale

Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative team leader Alfie Oram says helping the environment creates a great atmosphere for all those involved.

“When the crew come out here in the landscape, pulling weeds and thistles, most of them come alive.

“They’re expanding their knowledge about plant identification as well as the weeds and what doesn’t belong here. It gives them a sense of wellbeing being out in the bush and working in the bush. The team love it.”

The weeding takes place on land protected by conservation convents, which are voluntary agreements that endure even after a property changes ownership.

Trust for Nature regional manager Chris Lindorff says not all the weeds the crew deals with are introduced.

“Some native species are expanding beyond their natural distribution to invade vegetation and out compete other native species.

“This is the case for Coast Teatree (Leptospermum laevigatum) which is a particularly serious weed on the Western Australian coastline and threatening low heathland vegetation of the Anglesea coastline.”

Trust for Nature was established by an Act of the Victorian Parliament in 1972 to protect habitat on private land.