How to deal with plant pest

AN UPCOMING seminar on best practices to combat gorse growth will soon be held at Meredith Memorial Hall.

Organised through the Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group and Geelong Landcare Network, both groups are set to host a free and practical workshop on dealing with the invasive weed.

Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group’s Landcare coordinator Jackson Cass will open the event, and said it will provide essential information and resources.

“This workshop will be a valuable opportunity for the community to work together to tackle gorse infestations in our region,” he said.

“We are eager to help landholders map their properties and provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to get started or continue controlling gorse on their properties.”

Attendees will learn how to identify gorse and its impacts on the landscape as well as helpful techniques to get rid of the weed, legal requirements and available support programs for landholders, and approaches to property mapping to assist with managing the plant.

Laminated maps of participants’ properties to be used for gorse management planning will be provided, while the event will also feature guest speakers and a practical demonstration on removal.

Slated for Saturday 16 November, the event is the result of a collaboration between the Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) and the Partnerships Against Pests program, with funding from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

“Many landholders in these regions may not know how to identify and manage gorse and this seminar aims to increase awareness and provide technical advice to landholders,” VGT chair Ron Cosgrave said.

“The VGT’s gorse message is, integrated weed management works best and always requires follow-up control.

“Prevention and early detection of new isolated infestations and replacement of existing infestations with desired species is critical in managing this invasive plant.”

The event will run from 10am to 2.30pm with lunch provided.

Contact the Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group via [email protected] or 0497 770 075, or Geelong Landcare Network at [email protected] or 0438 525 502.

To receive a personalised property map on the day, register by Tuesday 12 November.