New fighters for weed war

THE war on weeds needs new recruits.
Cardinia Shire Council is urging residents to join the ongoing fight against blackberry, sweet pittosporum, ragwort, thistles and other pests.
Residents can ask for advice on weed identification and management and can also seek reimbursements of up to $500 to cover the cost of herbicides used to manage properties through council’s 2007-2008 Weed Grants Scheme.
Council expects the scheme, now in its 11th year, to again be popular with residents. Weed and Landcare project officer Marianne Sawyer said council was focussing its efforts on roadside weeds close to towns.
Landowners were also very important aspects of the war against weeds, she said.
“We want to halt the invasion of environmental weeds, particularly introduced species, such as blackberry, sweet pittosporum, ragwort and thistles, before they make any more inroads into towns nestled in our precious bushland,” she said.
“Residents’ weed management efforts are a very important part of stopping harmful environmental weeds in their tracks.
“With residents able to apply for reimbursements through the Weed Grant Scheme, they won’t necessarily be out of pocket for the cost of herbicides they apply in their own backyards,” Ms Sawyer said.
Council said it had good news for residents with the invasive weed bridal creeper on their property.
The shire has been working with the Department of Primary Industries to release a rust fungus in the area to control bridal creeper.
The spore of the rust fungus is released onto the leaf via a spore water medium and will eventually colonise and reduce the ability of bridal creeper plants to grow and reproduce.
This form of natural control is considered effective but requires three to five years to kill a bridal creeper plant. For further information about Council’s Weed Grant Scheme or advice on where to collect the rust fungus locally contact the council on 1300 787 624.