Landcare groups team up to tackle weeds

THREE Otway hinterland Landcare Networks have joined forces to tackle specific weeds identified as threats to biodiversity in the Otway Plains.

The Upper Barwon Landcare Network, Central Otway Landcare Network and Surf Coast and Inland Plains Network have received funding through the Victorian Government’s Biodiversity Response Planning project and are offering financial incentives to assist landholders with on-farm weed control.

This is a co-ordinated and targeted landscape scale approach to address the same weeds at the same time with support from local Landcare networks.

The key focus is increasing productivity on farms and enhancing biodiversity in the Otway hinterland.

The project is specifically targeting gorse, blackberry, broome sp., sweet pittosporum and Spanish heath.

“Sometimes these weeds can get ahead of us,” Surf Coast Inland Plain Network’s Murray Johns said.

“It’s joint projects like this that help landholders get back on track.”

Joint landholder projects will be looked at favourably, as will a commitment to ongoing weed control.

As well as incentives, advice on best practice for specific weed species will be offered.

Upper Barwon Landcare Network’s Andrea Montgomery said working on these weeds at the same time as her neighbours are can help lower rates of reinfestation while lowering treatment costs.

“We are working together to control specific weeds which harbour pests, out compete pasture and native vegetation, damage fences and have the potential to spread throughout the Otways in various ways,” Andrew Gray from the Central Otway Landcare Network said.

Expressions of interest are being sought until May 24. You can request an EOI form by emailing [email protected] or arrange a postage pack by phoning 0455 500 542.