Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy · City of Greater Bendigo Invasive Plants & Animals Strategy February 2012 6 3 Roles and responsibilities for invasive plant and animal management

February 2012

Invasive Plants and Animals

Strategy

2012 - 2015

City of Greater Bendigo Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy © City of Greater Bendigo, 2011 City of Greater Bendigo PO Box 733 Bendigo Vic 3552 T: 03 5434 6000 F: 03 5434 6200 E: [email protected] www.bendigo.vic.gov.au A copy of this publication is available on the City of Greater Bendigo’s website: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au Acknowledgements:

This project was supported by the Department of Primary Industries with funding through the “Victorian Governments

Future Farming Strategy”

The strategy was developed for the City of Greater Bendigo by consultants RMCG.

Cover photography credits:

Top left – CoGB Operations staff, CoGB

Middle Left – Alligator Weed, DSE

Bottom left – Bridle Creeper, CoGB

Top right – European rabbit, David Kleinert

Bottom right – Fox, DSE

Disclaimer: This publication may be of assistance to you, but the City of Greater Bendigo, its employees, consultants and contractors do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on the information in this publication.

City of Greater Bendigo Invasive Plants & Animals Strategy February 2012

Table of Contents

1 Background 1

1.1 Invasive plants and animals in City of Greater Bendigo 1

1.2 Introduction to terms used in this strategy 1

2 State and National Policy - the biosecurity approach 4

2.1 Biosecurity approach 4

2.2 The significance of State and National policy for this strategy 5

3 Roles and responsibilities for invasive plant and animal management 6

3.1 Invasive plants and animals on roadsides 7

4 Invasive plant and animal management in the City of Greater Bendigo 9

4.1 Vision 9

4.2 Scope of this strategy 9

4.3 Goals for invasive plant and animal management 9

4.3.1 Goal 1: Prevent new invasive plants and animals 10

4.3.2 Goal 2: Eradicate specific high risk pests 13

4.3.3 Goal 3: Protect high priority areas from high risk pests 16

4.3.4 Goal 4: Provide leadership and support community action to reduce the impact of invasive plants and animals 20

4.3.5 Goal 5: Evaluate effectiveness of the strategy 21

4.4 Reporting on the strategy 24

Appendix 1 Glossary and acronyms 25

Appendix 2 Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 27

Appendix 3 State Prohibited Weeds 28

Appendix 4 Regionally Prohibited Weeds of the North Central region 29

Appendix 5 Regionally Controlled Weeds of the North Central region 30

Appendix 6 Restricted Weeds of the North Central region 32

Appendix 7 Weeds of National Significance 34

Appendix 8 Fisheries Act Noxious Aquatic Plants 35

Appendix 9 Undeclared high risk species in North Central Victoria 36

Appendix 10 Very high risk environmental weeds of the Inland Plains Bioregions 37

Appendix 11 Established Pest Animals 39

City of Greater Bendigo Invasive Plants & Animals Strategy February 2012 1

1 Background

1.1 Invasive plants and animals in City of Greater Bendigo

Invasive plants and animals are one the most pervasive threats to the natural environment in Australia. In

the City of Greater Bendigo (CoGB), biodiversity, water, and land are all threatened by various different

invasive plants and animals. They present threats to primary production, native flora and fauna, and the

recreation and amenity of CoGB owned and managed assets.

This strategy has been developed to provide a strategic approach to invasive plants and animals (IPA)

management on CoGB owned land and to ensure that strategic directions and management actions are

consistent with current regional, state and federal invasive plants and animals strategies. It aims to improve

IPA management outcomes by implementing improved processes, systems and support for community

action. The strategy has been developed to align with the North Central Catchment Management

Authorities, North Central Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy 2010 – 2015.

The strategy is important because management of invasive plants and animals is a function or duty that falls

to many different groups within the municipality. Treating weed infestations and pest animals such as

rabbits are common activities in roadside management, management of parks and natural reserves and the

design and management of streetscapes and recreation reserves.

This strategy focuses on two aspects of invasive plant and animal management in the CoGB. The first is the management of invasive species on land owned and managed by CoGB. The CoGB owns or manages some 1,840 hectares, comprising 1,211 hectares of freehold and 629 hectares of crown land. A map of CoGB managed land is shown in Figures 1a and 1b.

Management of invasive plants and animals are among the responsibilities of the CoGB as a landowner. The

second aspect is the community leadership and support role that CoGB has in the management of invasive

plants and animals. These two areas are described in some detail in Section 4 of the strategy in the form of

goals and actions for invasive species management.

1.2 Introduction to terms used in this strategy

In 2009 the Victorian government released its Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria (DPI, 2009). This signalled a

shift in policy direction for management of pest plant and animals with the adoption of the term ‘invasive

plants and animals’. Another important policy shift was the explicit adoption of a risk management approach

to managing weeds and pest animals. One of the factors that influences how risky a weed or pest animal is,

is its invasiveness, hence the shift to ‘invasive plants and animals’.

The term invasive plants and animals, (IPA), has been used throughout this strategy. This is to ensure that

our approach is consistent with other levels of government which have key roles in managing invasive

plants and animals.

For the purposes of this Strategy, the terms landowner and land manager are interchangeable. CoGB holds

various freehold land titles and is therefore a landowner, however many parcels of public land are Crown

land of which the CoGB maybe the appointed Committee of Management under the Crown Lands and

(Reserves) Act 1978, in this instance CoGB can be considered a land manager.

The Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 definition of a landowner includes an occupier, lessee

or licence holder of Crown land.


Figure 1a: Urban Crown and Council land


Figure 1b: Rural Crown and Council land


2 State and National Policy - the biosecurity approach

Decades of management of invasive plants and animals across Australia has yielded some important lessons.

Among the most important of those lessons is that timely action on invasive pests is critical, and preventing

new invasive species from establishing in your area will almost always be more economical in the long-term.

These two lessons are key drivers behind the new state and national policy approach to IPA management,

called the biosecurity approach.

2.1 Biosecurity approach

The biosecurity approach uses risk management principles and a ‘generalised invasion curve’ (Figure 2) to

illustrate four different approaches to IPA management: prevention, eradication, containment and asset

based protection.

Figure 2: Generalised invasion curve for invasive plants and animals

A key implication from the biosecurity approach (and the invasion curve) is that prevention and eradication

of new and emerging high-risk species will generally be more cost-effective than managing an invasive

species once it has become widely established.

As the invasion curve suggests, prevention, eradication and containment measures are used before a target

species is widespread and abundant within its potential range. In these situations, directly treating

infestations of those species is the most effective and efficient means of control. This is also known as the

species-led approach. This generally applies to weeds that are declared (under the Catchment and Land

Protection Act 1994) as state or regionally prohibited weeds.


When an invasive species is abundant and widespread, the most cost effective approach is to protect

priority assets. An asset is a biophysical or physical element of the environment that is valued for its social,

economic and/or environmental qualities.

Assets include rivers, wetlands, areas of agricultural land, a popular fishing area, a park with high cultural or

historical significance, a threatened species or vegetation community, or a stand of intact native vegetation.

Adopting an asset protection approach means that priorities must be set among the many assets

threatened by invasive plants and animals.

Another key component of the biosecurity approach is the use of partnerships with government

departments and agencies, industry and the community. This is an essential component to effective IPA

management as it increases the impact of IPA management programs through sharing knowledge,

information and resources, working across land tenures and decreasing management costs through better

coordination1.

2.2 The significance of State and National policy for this strategy

This strategy has been developed using the biosecurity approach as its basis. This means that the goals of

the strategy focus on prevention, eradication, containment and asset protection. This is to ensure that the

CoGB is well positioned to work in partnership with other government agencies involved in invasive plant

and animal management, including the DSE, DPI and the NC CMA. Other important partner organisations

include Parks Victoria, VicRoads and VicTrack.

1 DPI & DSE, 2009, Guidelines for Preparing Regional Pest Plans


3 Roles and responsibilities for invasive plant and animal management

The management of invasive plants and animals is a shared responsibility between all three levels of

government, Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and landowners and managers.

DPI takes the lead role for IPA extension services and compliance on most private land in the state, while

DSE has the lead role on public land, particularly for the management of parks and reserves in Victoria

through Parks Victoria.

The CoGB has the same responsibility that all land managers have, which is to manage declared weeds and

pest animals on CoGB owned land. These responsibilities are detailed in the Catchment and Land Protection

Act 1994 (CaLP Act) (See Appendix 2). The CaLP Act allocates weeds and pest animals to different groups

according to their relative risk and the actions required to manage them. Each of these groups is listed in

Table 1 along with the responsibilities described in the CaLP Act. The primary purpose of this strategy is to

better enable CoGB to meet it’s IPA management responsibilities.

In brief, the CaLP Act states that landowners must take all reasonable steps to eradicate regionally

prohibited weeds, prevent the growth and spread of regionally controlled weeds and prevent the spread

of and/or eradicate established pest animals. The DPI has enforcement powers under the CaLP Act to

ensure these responsibilities are met. The State Government is responsible for taking all reasonable steps

to eradicate state prohibited weeds from all land in the State2.

Table 1: Responsibilities for landowners/managers in invasive plant and animal management.

CLASSES OF WEEDS

AND PEST ANIMALS

RESPONSIBILITIES DESCRIBED IN THE CALP ACT (1994)

State prohibited weeds The Victorian Government must take all reasonable steps to eradicate state prohibited weeds on

all lands in Victoria.

Regionally prohibited

weeds

Landowners are responsible for taking all reasonable steps to eradicate regionally prohibited weeds

on their property.

Regionally controlled

weeds

Landowners are responsible for taking all reasonable steps to prevent the growth and spread of

regionally controlled weeds.

Restricted weeds It is an offence to sell or trade any restricted weeds.

Noxious aquatic weeds It is an offence to bring into Victoria or possess, sell, transport or release noxious aquatic weeds.

Prohibited pest animals Importing, keeping, selling or releasing prohibited pest animals is not allowed in Victoria.

Controlled pest animals A permit from DPI is required to import, keep or sell a controlled pest animal.

Regulated pest animals A permit from DPI is required to import, keep or sell a regulated pest animal.

Established pest animals Landowners are responsible for controlling, and where possible, eradicating established pest

animals on their land.

2 DPI, 2010, Noxious Weed and Pest Animals Management: Legal Booklet


The CaLP Act also describes obligations of landowners in relation to movement and sale of noxious weeds,

and importation, keeping, selling or releasing of declared pest animals. For example, the movement of grain,

fodder and equipment can be restricted if deemed a risk, vehicle hygiene must be adhered to when selling

or hiring machinery and due care must be taken to mitigate against animals spreading weed seeds at

saleyards.

This strategy also mentions other high risk weeds and pest animals. These include Weeds of National

Significance (WoNS) (see Appendix 7) and species listed as high risk in the North Central CMA Invasive

Plant and Animal Management Strategy 2010 (Appendix 9). While there is no statutory responsibility to

address these species, the CoGB is committed to including all high risk invasive species, whether they are

declared or undeclared, in its priority-setting for invasive plant and animal management.

3.1 Invasive plants and animals on roadsides

Appropriate management of invasive plants and animals on roadsides can help prevent the spread across a

municipality and region. Invasive plants and animals management on roadsides has been a vexed issue for

many years with varying interpretations about management responsibilities.

In 2010 the former Minister for Agriculture established the Roadside Weeds and Pests Working Party to

examine responsibilities for management of invasive plants and animals on roadsides and options for funding

management activities. The Working Party was responsible for advising the Minister for Agriculture on

future management of invasive plants and animals on roadsides in Victoria, within the context of the

Victorian Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework.

Specifically the role of the Working Party was to: -

• Commission an independent review to indentify the costs, benefits and beneficiaries of invasive

plant and animal management on roadsides and identify options for funding;

• Develop an approach to overall accountability, operational responsibility and funding based on the

findings of the review, together with any other proposals from members; and

• Recommend to the Minister for Agriculture a consensus position that will provide for effective and

efficient future management of invasive plants and animals on roadsides.

Membership of the Working Party comprised representatives from the Department of Primary Industries,

Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victorian Farmers Federation, Municipal Association of

Victoria and several representatives from regional Councils.

In October, 2011 the state government released the Working Party’s report, Roadside Weeds & Pests –

Recommended responsibilities for action.

The report discusses a range of legislative, policy, management, resource and legal issues concerning

roadside weed and pest management. The report recommends a range of legislative changes and the

introduction of a number of regulatory instruments to clarify and implement new management

responsibilities. It also proposes a potential cost sharing model between state and local government. There

are15 recommendation’s contained in the report.

The recommendation’s, if fully implemented; effectively places a shared responsibility for roadside weeds

and pest on municipal roads, between state and local government.


As the timeframe for the introduction of the proposed management changes is not known, this Strategy

will be used to guide CoGB roadside invasive plants and animals management. The Strategy will be updated

to reflect the changes to roadside weeds and pests responsibilities once they are confirmed and formally

introduced by the state government.

Case study – Roadsides

Axe Creek Landcare Group Gorse Control Project

The Axe Creek catchment covers approximately 33 square Kilometres and is located within the Campaspe River catchment south east of the City of Bendigo. Land use includes small-scale grazing and agriculture, and lifestyle properties. The Axe Creek Landcare group formed in 1997. The Landcare Group area encompasses both sides of Axe Creek, beginning in the upper catchment at the boundary of the City of Greater Bendigo and continuing downstream to the Strathfieldsaye – Eppalock Road. Gorse, Ulex europaeus is a perennial shrub up to 4 m high and 3 m diameter and is a declared Regionally Controlled weed in the North Central Catchment. It can be found growing in a wide range of soil types but ideally prefers low fertility and acidic soils. Infestations are located along roadsides, creek banks, neglected areas and marginal forests. Gorse competes with young trees and shrubs and hinders the growth of native understorey species. Gorse is a major weed of agriculture invading all pasture types and significantly reducing grazing capacity. It has the ability to exclude all other plants and greatly hinders access to stock and waterways. The plant is unpalatable to cattle and sheep and is a significant haven for rabbits, foxes, feral cats and mice. It is highly flammable and is a significant fire hazard. It also reduces visibility on roadsides, in some cases, displacing threatened species (DPI website). The Axe Creek Landcare Group has been controlling gorse along Axe Creek and on private land for a number of years, with a high degree of success. Landcare group members monitor infestations on roadsides and public reserves and advise the City of Greater Bendigo who then undertake appropriate control works which are complementary to the work of the Landcare Group and neighbouring landholders. This is one example of many similar partnerships which demonstrates a long history and strong commitment by the local government sector in providing practical support to their communities with well planned and implemented roadside invasive species management.

Highly invasive gorse infestation on Mandurang Rd


4 Invasive plant and animal management in the City of Greater Bendigo

4.1 Vision

The City of Greater Bendigo will strive to successfully meet its responsibilities for management of invasive

plants and animals. We will encourage and support community action and provide leadership in invasive

plants and animals management.

4.2 Scope of this strategy

This strategy only deals with vertebrate invasive animals, and terrestrial and freshwater weeds on CoGB

owned and managed land, which is consistent with state and regional strategies. Some of these species are

formally listed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act), but the strategy can also

include other non-listed species that are considered to be high risk (e.g. Weeds of National Significance,

public land risks). This strategy does not include invertebrates, domestic pets or farm animals, fungal or

microbial pests.

One important point to emphasise is that this strategy applies equally to invasive plants (weeds) as it does

to invasive animals. However, there are differences in how these two types of pests are treated in

legislation, and therefore also within this strategy. A key basis for work on invasive plants and animals

across Victoria is the CaLP Act. Under this act, certain invasive plants and animals are classified into

different groups based on their potential to damage agriculture and the environment. For example, weeds

are grouped into several distinct categories such as state prohibited weeds, regionally prohibited weeds,

regionally controlled weeds and restricted weeds (see Appendices 3-6).

Pest animals are also grouped into four categories, prohibited pest animals, controlled pest animals,

regulated pest animals and established pest animals. However, only one category is relevant for this

strategy - established pest animals (Appendix 11). This is because invasive animals in the other categories

are the responsibility of the relevant State and Federal Government Departments and not individual

landowners. This does not signal that pest animals in these categories are any less important but rather

reflects the appropriate legislative management responsibilities. Established pest animals are treated within

the asset protection approach described earlier.

4.3 Goals for invasive plant and animal management

The CoGB has set five goals for the management of invasive plants and animals. They are:

1. Prevent new invasive plants and animals from establishing in the CoGB.

2. Eradicate specific high-risk invasive plants and animals from the CoGB.

3. Reduce the impact of established high-risk invasive species on specific high priority areas (or assets).

4. Provide leadership and support community action to reduce the impact of invasive plants and animals.

5. Evaluate effectiveness of the strategy.


4.3.1 Goal 1: Prevent new invasive plants and animals

Prevention of new invasive plants and animals requires a strong focus on surveillance, particularly on the

possible pathways of entry and spread of those new species. A major challenge to achieving this goal is that

the species of concern are not present in the region (or they are very unusual) and therefore, will not be

readily recognised.

This means that efforts must focus on determining which high risk species are likely to occur in the CoGB

and then training specific people to be able to recognise them. The known high risk weed species that are a

priority for the region are the state and regionally prohibited weeds (see Appendices 3 and 4). One state

prohibited weed found on CoGB managed land is :

� Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) – a recurring infestation in the Bendigo Creek is currently

being monitored and treated in partnership with the DPI.

Support for training in the identification of these weeds is already in place in the form of the Weed

Spotters Program managed by DPI. This program focuses on training people to recognise a specific set

of high risk weeds called the ‘Victorian alert weeds’.

Beyond being able to recognise high risk species, surveillance should also be centred on the pathways of

entry and spread of invasive species. The North Central CMA’s Invasive Plant and Animal Strategy notes

the following pathways in North Central Victoria:

� Sale and escape of garden species

� Movement of soil, landscaping products or farm produce (e.g. fodder)

� Stock movement

� Movement of machinery and vehicles

� Inappropriate disposal of garden refuse

� Movement of water (including floodwaters)

� Disturbance of natural areas (through fire, construction etc.).

These pathways should be targeted for preventative actions. For many of these pathways, precautionary

practices have been defined in operational codes of practice. For example, vehicles and machinery should

be washed down thoroughly before moving from one site to the next (referred to as vehicle hygiene).

Similarly, there are established procedures for managing fodder coming into the area from elsewhere,

particularly during or following emergencies like drought or fire. These practices can be combined with

training weed spotters to increase the chances that high risk species will be detected early.


Weed Risk Assessment Procedure and Management (WRAPM)

With the importance of prevention in mind, CoGB is in the process of adopting a weed risk assessment

procedure for the management of current and future plantings at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens at White

Hills.

The weed risk assessment procedure and management (WRAPM) is a software package, developed by the

Australian Botanic Gardens Weed Network (ABGWN) together with the former Australian Weed

Management CRC that scores weed risk for a particular plant growing in any given area. It includes:

� Endorsed ABGWN Weed Policy

� Databases of major Australian weed lists

� A list of over 3000 plants known to be naturalised in Australia

� Plants with known health risks

� Compendium of native plants known to hybridise

� Strategies for individual weed management

� Voluntary weed management strategy.

In February 2010 the CoGB adopted a master plan for the Bendigo Botanic Gardens at White Hills. Weed

management and risk issues were considered as part of the master plan process, as stated on page 44,

volume 2 of the plan:

“A policy for assessment of weed potential will also be developed in line with BGANZ Weed Risk

Assessment Procedure.”

The master plan also states:

Plants in the following categories will not be acquired:

� Plants which contravene the CITES (Convention of Trade in Endangered Species) policy on plant

collecting and trading

� Prohibited imports.

Plants in the following categories will not be acquired except for specifically approved research or display:

� Declared noxious weeds

� Likely or known environmental or agricultural weeds

� Plants known or with the potential to facilitate the transmission of disease to commercial crops

� Likely sources of introgression (genetic contamination).

The WRAPM is seen as an innovative management tool, which will greatly improve the CoGB’s ability to

undertake weed risk assessments for all current and future plantings. It would therefore ideally be applied

to all CoGB parks and reserves. The plant acquisition policy is consistent with and supportive of the

biosecurity approach and is therefore supported under this strategy.


Actions for Goal 1: Preventing new invasive plants and animals

ACTION RESPONSIBLE MANAGER

TIMELINES PARTNERS INDICATORS

1.1 Identify and train key CoGB

staff to recognise state and

regionally prohibited weeds,

including the Victorian alert

weeds, and particularly

those species likely to

occur in CoGB

Manager Parks and

Natural Reserves

Year 1 and

on-going

DPI

DSE

NC CMA

Staff identified and

trained in year 1

Training included on

training calendar

1.2 Report new incidences of

known or potential high

risk species to DPI

Manager Parks and

Natural Reserves

Manager Sustainable

Environment

On-going DPI

NC CMA

Number of new

incidences reported to

DPI

1.3 Include weed surveillance in

the duties of all staff

involved in managing CoGB

land.

Manager Parks and

Natural Reserves

Year 1 and on-

going

Key staff identified &

surveillance duties

included in their role

Surveillance process

developed

1.4 Review relevant existing

contractor agreements to

ensure they meet best

practice invasive pest

management standards.

Ensure all new relevant

contractor agreements

include these standards.

Ensure information on

these standards is readily

available to both staff and

CoGB contractors.

Manager Contract and

Project Coordination

Year 2

On-going

On-going

DPI

DSE

NC CMA

Contract

documentation

reviewed and amended

1.5 Provide regular training of

road maintenance and civil

construction staff and

contractors on IPA

management issues

Manager Presentation

and Works

Year 1 Training completed

year 1 & included in

training calendar

1.6 Apply the WRAPM to all

CoGB parks and reserves

to prevent new invasive

plants from entering the

municipality via CoGB

owned and/or managed

land.

Manager Parks and

Natural Reserves

Year 1 and on-

going

ABGWN

BGANZ

WRAPM acquired and

applied


4.3.2 Goal 2: Eradicate specific high risk pests

Eradicating high risk invasive species while they are still at low levels of infestation is a key early

intervention measure. Eradication of any invasive species is likely to be expensive so it is important that

resources are focused only on species where it is possible to eradicate.

It is not necessary for the CoGB to identify the species that should be targeted for eradication. DPI and the

NC CMA have already identified the high risk invasive species that should be targeted for eradication in the

North Central region.

In the case of invasive plants, state prohibited weeds, regionally prohibited weeds and undeclared high risk

species in North Central Victoria (see Appendices 3, 4 and 9) should be the initial focus. There is a known

infestation of a state prohibited weed (alligator weed), and there are two infestations of regionally

prohibited weeds on CoGB managed land. The City is working closely with state agencies to treat these

infestations.

In addition to these very high priority weeds, other high risk weeds are also the focus of treatment by

CoGB and its partners. These are also listed in Table 2. This list includes two weeds described as

‘undeclared high risk species’. This means that these weeds are not formally recognised as noxious weeds

under the CaLP Act.

Including ‘undeclared’ species in this strategy is important for two reasons. The first is that formal

declaration of a species under the CaLP Act takes time, and this process should not prevent early action to

eradicate a weed before it establishes. Secondly, some high risk weeds may be high risk only in the CoGB

region, which means that they may not be declared under the CaLP Act. The CoGB needs to be able to act

on these high risk species regardless of their formal status in legislation.

Table 2: Some invasive weeds of interest and examples of known infestations in the City of Greater Bendigo region

INVASIVE WEED WEED CLASSIFICATION EXAMPLE OF KNOWN INFESTATIONS

Alligator weed State prohibited

Weed of national significance

Bendigo Creek

Serrated Tussock Regionally prohibited Axedale, Sedgwick, Bendigo city area

Boneseed

Regionally prohibited


Bendigo city area, rail reserves, old mine sites, industrial land

Jackass Flat and Salomon Gully

Wheel Cactus Regionally controlled Reference Area's (Kamarooka & Sandhurst)

Bathurst Burr Regionally controlled Scattered, increased presence due to wet summer

Blackberry Regionally controlled Kennington Reservoir, drainage depressions, southern parts

of the municipality

Chilean Needle Grass

Restricted


Creekline, Grassy Woodland and Alluvial Terraces EVC's

Bridal Creeper Restricted


Native vegetation areas; various

African Weed Orchid Undeclared high risk species Eppalock

Pampas Undeclared high risk species Drainage depressions, various areas within the City of

Bendigo


The lead responsibility for eradicating state prohibited weeds lies with DPI. CoGB has a support role to

play by continuing to monitor for, and report, any infestations detected.

For regionally prohibited weeds, CoGB, as a landowner, is required to take action to eradicate these

weeds where they occur on CoGB land.

For high risk invasive animals, the lead role lies with state government and, in particular, with the invasive

exotic animals program which is managed by DSE.

Actions for Goal 2: Eradicate specific high risk pests

ACTION RESPONSIBLE

MANAGER


2.1 In consultation with regional

agencies, identify which of the

high risk invasive weeds that the

CoGB must prioritise for

eradication.

Manager

Sustainable

Environment

Year 1 NC CMA

DPI

DSE

High risk invasive weeds

identified & number

eradicated

2.2 Develop and implement

eradication plans for each of the

high risk species known to be

present on CoGB land.

Manager Parks

and Natural

Reserves

As required Neighbouring

landowners

Number of plans developed

and implemented


Case study – Eradication

Removal of Alligator Weed from the Bendigo Creek

Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) is a declared State Prohibited Weed in Victoria under the CaLP Act. State Prohibited Weeds are the highest category to which invasive plants can be allocated under Victorian legislation. In recognition of the threat that State Prohibited Weeds pose to the state’s assets and values, the Victorian Government is responsible for the eradication of State Prohibited Weeds on all land in the state – both public and private. There are currently a number of infestations of Alligator Weed in Victoria, mostly in metropolitan Melbourne. Bendigo is one of only two known regional infestations in Victoria. All sites are targeted for eradication. If left untreated, Alligator Weed will rapidly become the dominant plant in a waterway, out-competing other native vegetation and adversely affecting native fauna. Alligator Weed also interferes with irrigation systems and affects water quality and flow regimes, causing flooding and sedimentation. It can easily spread downstream when the plant is broken into smaller fragments, particularly during floods. It can also spread inadvertently in garden mulch or when attached to machinery, vehicles and watercraft. When growing on land, it can quickly degrade the composition of pastures and reduce crop production. In 2010, DPI removed two infestations of Alligator Weed and 180 tonnes of contaminated material from the Bendigo Creek at Golden Square. These works will help prevent the weed from spreading, as the Bendigo Creek flows into Kow Swamp, near Cohuna. Ongoing monitoring of the site and downstream, all the way to Kow Swamp, will continue into the future to detect any regrowth or new incursions, and to evaluate the success of the mechanical removal. The project will be an ongoing partnership between the City of Greater Bendigo and the North Central CMA as the site is revegetated. It is thought that the site will regenerate naturally over a short period. In future years, once the site is confirmed as eradicated, the council will further enhance the area with revegetation works.

Alligator Weed:

Photo courtesy of DPI


4.3.3 Goal 3: Protect high priority areas from high risk pests

The Victorian Government’s Biosecurity Strategy suggests that “once a pest becomes so widespread that

containment is no longer possible, the management approach focuses on protecting the region’s priority

assets”.

Adopting an asset protection approach is an acknowledgement that there are limited resources available

for invasive species control. The asset protection approach adopted for this part of the strategy is based on

determining priorities for invasive plant and animal work among the many CoGB owned and/or managed

sites.

The CoGB manages over 700 sites with varying value and susceptibility to invasive plants and animals. For

the purposes of this strategy, CoGB priority assets are defined as having environmental, cultural, social and

economic values. Figure 4, box 1 provides the key characteristics of priority assets. Some examples of

these assets are illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b.

In order to determine priorities among these assets, a decision support flowchart has been developed

(Figure 4) which provides a step-by-step process to priority setting by CoGB staff.

Three main principles; asset value, asset threat and feasibility of control; provide the basis for the decision

support flowchart. For an asset to be a priority it must have some value that is threatened by a high risk

invasive plant or animal that can be effectively controlled and is likely to be supported with adequate

resourcing.

The overall aim is to identify:

Valuable parcels of CoGB land that have the greatest threat from invasive plants and animals,

AND where something can be done to preserve those values.

In general there are four different types of actions that can be taken:

1. Refer to another agency that has lead responsibility (e.g. Infestation of a State Prohibited Weed).

2. Full scale planning and actions by CoGB (e.g. Infestation of a Regionally Prohibited Weed).

3. Support from COGB for active community groups (e.g. Established pest animal that occurs in a natural

reserve adjoining agricultural land and is a priority for a local Landcare Group).

4. Surveillance only (e.g. State Prohibited Weed that is not known to occur in the North Central region.

Implementation of the IPA Strategy will involve staff applying these concepts of asset value and risk to rank

assets in order of priority for IPA management. There are a number of high value assets in the CoGB, some

of which are outlined below. The process described in the decision support flowchart (Figure 5) will be

applied to all CoGB assets.

Some examples of priority assets that could be threatened by IPAs are:

• Bendigo Botanic Gardens

• Lake Weeroona

• Canterbury Gardens

• Rosalind Park

• Queen Elizabeth Oval

• Canterbury Oval

• EPBC listed communities or species

• Crusoe Reservoir and No. 7 Park.


Figure 3a: Crusoe Reservoir and Number 7 Park are recognised for their very high heritage and natural values.

Figure 3b: The Rosalind Park precinct incorporates a number of high value assets including the Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo Aquatic Centre, Queen Victoria, Lansell and Conservatory Gardens and Tom Flood Sports Centre.


Figure 4: Flowchart for identifying assets threatened by invasive plants and animals

CoGB IPA surveillance program

Is the pest species a State Prohibited Weed?

Is it a Regionally Prohibited Weed including species

targeted for containment?

Is the pest species a: • Regionally Controlled Weed • Widespread invasive animal • DSE listed ‘very high risk’ environmental

weed • NC CMA IPA Strategy high risk pest • Federal weed of national significance

(WONS)

Does it occur on a high priority asset? (BOX 1)

Does it pose a significant threat to the value of the

asset? (BOX 2)

Is it feasible to treat the infestation? (BOX 3)

Is there community support?

Action 1

Report infestations to DPI. Implement hygiene practices to reduce pathways of spread.

Action 2

Eradicate the invasive plant or animal from high priority asset area. Develop a management plan if needed.

Action 3

Support community groups to prevent the further spread of the invasive plant or animal.

Action 4

Surveillance. No other action unless additional resources become available.

BOX 1: Priority assets An asset can be valuable because of environmental, social or economic characteristics. This includes:

• High cultural and heritage values • High recreational/amenity value • High conservation value roadside native

vegetation • Native vegetation known to be habitat for

threatened flora or fauna • EPBC listed communities or species • Land that borders National Park • Land that borders other public land

reserves

BOX 2: Assessing threats & impact of no treatment A threat is considered significant if the asset will be severely damaged if threat is not treated during the next three years. Consider:

• Extent and reversibility of the damage • Potential to spread onto valuable nearby

land e.g. proximity to a waterway, agricultural asset

• Level of community concern • Potential to restrict use of land e.g risk of

injury, limit human access, high use area, high amenity

BOX 3: Assessing likely effectiveness of treatment Feasibility to treat the IPA threat should be based on:

• Whether the cost of treating the threat is prohibitive

• Whether it is technically feasible to eradicate or control the threat

• Whether the infestation is confined to Council managed land. If not, the likelihood of the other land managers also treating the threat must be considered

NO

NO

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO YES

NO


The typical actions and objectives for each of the four different types of actions are outlined in Table 3.

Table 3: Typical actions according to threat level and asset value

TYPE OF ACTION SPECIES-LED VERSUS ASSET BASED

OBJECTIVE TYPICAL ACTIONS

1. Refer to another agency (very high risk species present)

Species-led Prevention or eradication of the invasive species

Surveillance and referral to DPI to lead action e.g. State Prohibited Weeds, Prohibited Exotic Animal

2. Full scale planning and action by CoGB (very high risk species present).

Species-led Direct action to eradicate or contain an invasive species

Take direct and timely action to eradicate (or at least control) invasive species e.g. Regionally Prohibited Weeds

3. Support from CoGB for active community groups (medium to high risk assets).

Asset based Reduce impact of IPAs on high value assets in CoGB.

Coordinate management with local landowners.

Develop coordinated approach to protect the asset. Work with neighbouring landowners.

4. Surveillance Asset based Monitor the site for changes in risk

Include these sites in regular monitoring program.

Surveillance

Along with identifying priorities among assets, surveillance of all CoGB assets is critical. Staff currently

monitor CoGB owned and managed land for invasive plants and animals, but on an informal, and sometimes

indirect, basis. Fire prevention and road safety (e.g. restoring site lines) for example, also demand action on

weeds in a timely manner.

This strategy commits the CoGB to formal monitoring of all CoGB owned and managed assets for

presence of invasive plants and animals. Monitoring will occur at least once every two years. Data gathered

from this process will be recorded on existing CoGB systems.


Actions for Goal 3: Protect high priority areas from high risk pests

ACTION RESPONSIBLE MANAGER


3.1 Train all relevant CoGB staff and contractors in applying the decision support flowchart to determine priorities for asset protection.

Manager Parks and Natural Reserves

Manager Presentation and Works

Year 1 DPI Number of relevant staff trained

3.2 Develop and implement a program of asset protection based on the priorities and actions recommended through the decision support flowchart.


Year 1 Asset protection programs developed and implemented

3.3 Implement system to support surveillance for invasive plant and animal species on all CoGB assets and access all assets at least once every two years.


Year 2 Surveillance system developed and implemented

Surveillance activities conducted every two years

3.4 Implement a system to record management actions which result from the application of the decision support flowchart.


Year 2 and on-going

Record system developed and maintained

4.3.4 Goal 4: Provide leadership and support community action to reduce the impact of invasive plants and animals

The CoGB not only has responsibilities to manage invasive plants and animals on land it owns and manages,

but also has a role in providing support and leadership in the management of invasive species across the

whole local government area. The City has a strong history of providing information on environmental

management, offering grants and rate rebates, and supporting Landcare and community groups with their

pest plant and animal priorities.

Invasive plants and animals do not respect property boundaries so managing effectively requires

cooperation. There is often little point in one land manager investing time and effort in managing their

weeds if their neighbours do not. As a land owner/manager, the CoGB aims to be both a good neighbour

and a leader in fostering the cooperation needed for effective management of IPA.


Actions for Goal 4: Provide leadership and support community action to reduce the impact of

invasive plants and animals

ACTION RESPONSIBLE

MANAGER


4.1 Advocate for and support the

establishment of an annual regional

invasive plants and animals forum

to share information about

emerging threats and research on

managing IPAs. The forum should

be convened by the major

government agencies (DPI, DSE,

and NC CMA).

Manager

Sustainable

Environment Unit

Year 1 Parks Victoria, DSE, neighbouring LGAs

Coliban Water

Landcare and community Groups

VicRoads and VicTrack

Advocacy undertaken

Successful

Forum

held

4.2 CoGB should review all plantings in

streetscapes using the WRAPM

process to assess invasiveness of

selected species.

Manager of Parks

and Natural

Reserves

Year 3 BGANZ

ABGWN

Review completed

4.3 Ensure all CoGB works

contractors are required to meet

best management practice for

managing potential introduction

and spread of IPAs.

Manager Parks

and Natural

Reserves

Manager

Presentation and

Works

Year 2 DPI Best management practice procedures are a requirement of all relevant works contractors

4.4 Continue to actively provide

information on invasive plants and

animals to the CoGB community.

This includes information produced

by Victorian government agencies

including, DPI, DSE and NC CMA,

and also CoGB materials including

lists of environmental weeds.

Manager

Sustainable

Environment Unit

On-going DPI, DSE, Parks Victoria, NC CMA

Range of IPA information distributed to the community

4.5 Develop partnership approaches by

working with community groups

such as Landcare to ensure

coordinated management of IPAs.

Manager

Sustainable

Environment Unit

On-going Landcare and

Community Groups

Number of partnerships in

place

4.3.5 Goal 5: Evaluate effectiveness of the strategy

Monitoring the success of this strategy must be based around progress against the first four goals. DPI has

developed a whole of government IPA monitoring and reporting framework to support monitoring and

reporting on regional and local IPA strategies. The approach described here draws on that framework.

The focus is on the overall success of the strategy after three years. The reporting and evaluation

framework described in Table 4 should be conducted in 2014, at the end of the life of the strategy. The

approach is based on the four main goals of the strategy, and identifies evaluation questions for each goal

and the data required to report on those questions.

The majority of the data described Table 4 would be collected as part of a review and evaluation of the

strategy. Some data needs to be collected as part of normal operations or on an ad hoc basis. This data is

highlighted in Table 4.


Mapping of invasive species infestations (and associated control work) will also be a critical set of

information for evaluating the strategy. CoGB will establish a protocol and process for collection of this

spatial data.

Table 4: Reporting and evaluation framework

EVALUATION QUESTIONS MONITORING AND DATA

COLLECTION3

REPORTING AND EVALUATION

Goal 1: Preventing new invasive plants and animals.

To what extent has local surveillance

prevented invasive species from

establishing in the CoGB?

� Numbers trained for surveillance

(including Weed Spotters program).

(OPS)

Data on new incursions detected

(number, location, area, species).

(OPS)

Data is collated and shared with DPI, DSE

and CMA.

Information is used to inform surveillance for

the municipality.

Goal 2: Eradicate specific high risks pests

To what extent have high risk

invasive species been managed for

eradication?

� Proportion (%) of high risk species

where eradication actions have been

taken.

� Changes in area of infestations of

high risk species. (OPS)

Demonstrate that the objective to treat all

high risk species has been met.

Goal 3: Protect high priority areas from high risk pests

To what extent have IPA impacts on

priority assets been reduced or

controlled?

� Measures of impact of invasive

species on each asset recorded over

time.

� Measures against benchmarks4 or

targets set in asset protection plans

(when available).

� Funding directed to managing priority

assets, including amounts for IPA

management.

Project level evaluations (e.g. at the end of

the project) that examine whether IPA

impacts on the assets have reduced.

To what extent is IPA management

being integrated with broader

management of these priority assets?

� Priority assets that have a

management plan or project which

includes IPA management.

Priority assets that have a specific IPA

monitoring program.

Project level evaluations (e.g. at the end of

the project) that examine how well IPA

management was integrated into asset

protection.

To what extent have the asset

priorities been reviewed and up-

dated?

� Lists of priority assets for IPA

management over time. (AD HOC)

Process used to review that list.

Evaluation at a region-wide level to test

whether the key assets in the region that are

threatened by IPAs are on the priority list.

� Completion of projects to address

knowledge gaps. (AD HOC)

3 Data that should be collected as part of normal operations is noted as (OPS) and data that needs to be collected when an action occurs is noted as (AD HOC). 5 Research on thresholds for invasive species is a growing area of knowledge. For example, there is strong evidence that keeping rabbit numbers below a threshold level (<3 per spotlight km) will allow regeneration of native vegetation. There is also some evidence of a threshold for bridal creeper (the diversity of native species may be maintained when the density of bridal creeper remains below 10 percent cover) (Wimmera CMA Invasive Plant and Animal Management Strategy, 2010)


EVALUATION QUESTIONS MONITORING AND DATA

COLLECTION3

REPORTING AND EVALUATION

Goal 4: Support community action to reduce the impact of invasive plants and animals

To what extent are the CoGB

community able to access current

information on IPA management?

� Frequency of up-dating regional IPA

information on agency web-sites.

(AD HOC)

� Website data on page visits and

downloads of the strategy and other

IPA documents like species lists.

Annual report of data to be provided to the

Regional Invasive Species Forum.

To what extent are stakeholders and

the community sharing knowledge

and building partnerships based on

IPA management?

Frequency and attendance of the

‘Regional Invasive Species Forum’.

Independent evaluation of the Forum

conducted every two years in conjunction

with planning.

To what extent are IPA projects and

programs seeking direct community

participation in their IPA work.

� Records of the approach each

project and program used to engage

community.

� Examples of how that engagement

has occurred.

� Surveys of regional stakeholders.

Comparison of engagement activities (effort)

with stakeholder views regarding engagement

and participation.

Actions for Goal 5: Evaluate effectiveness of the strategy

ACTION RESPONSIBLE

MANAGER


5.1 Conduct evaluation in 2014 Manager Sustainable

Environment Unit

Year 3 Evaluation completed

5.2 Ensure processes and systems

(including mapping systems) are

developed and embedded into

operational procedures to facilitate

data collection and strategy

evaluation.

Manager Parks &

Natural Reserves

Manager Sustainable

Environment

Year 1 Systems and processes developed and in operation

5.3 Incorporate data collection

responsibilities into duties of relevant

CoGB staff.

Manager Parks &

Natural Reserves

Manager Sustainable

Environment Unit

Year 1 Appropriate data collected


4.4 Reporting on the strategy

In 2008 the CoGB introduced a corporate planning software program called corporate information

database (CID). The corporate information database is integrated into the organisations reporting

environment, drawing together information on plans and strategies, service unit plans, risk management and

finance.

CID assists staff members to manage actions from plans and strategies allocated to them, allowing more

effective reporting at all levels of management. It provides more effective corporate information, including

performance monitoring and status reporting.

The corporate information database will be the primary reporting mechanism during the implementation of

the invasive plants and animals strategy.


Appendix 1 Glossary and acronyms

Asset A natural resource that provides services (ecosystem services, production services or social

services).

Asset-based approach Involves prioritising control actions for a number of threats based on the relative value of

identified assets that will be protected by the actions. Prioritisation should be based on

maintaining the viability of important environmental assets and optimising outcomes for asset

protection and management.

Biodiversity The variety of life forms: the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they

contain and the ecosystems they form.

Biosecurity A process designed to mitigate the risks and impacts to the economy, the environment, social

amenity or human health associated with invasive species and diseases.

Containment The application of measures in and around an infested area to prevent the spread of an

invasive plant or animal species. This may include reduction of the density or area of the

infestation where appropriate. A containment program may include eradication of satellite

infestations.

Control In relation to organisms, this includes: reducing the number of those organisms – preventing

an increase in the number of those organisms – reducing the activity or appetite of some or

all of those organisms – modifying the behaviour or characteristics of some or all of those

organisms.

Core infestation An established population of an invasive plant or animal from which satellite infestations may

arise.

Eradication When a species (including, for a plant, its propagules) has been removed or killed and no

longer occurs at that site. In practice, this means that it can no longer be detected by

recommended methods of survey for a defined period of time.

Established species A species that, for the foreseeable future, will perpetuate within an area after entry.

High risk species A term used to describe invasive species that, if not managed, would have a large impact on

the environment, economy, social amenity or human health. They may be declared under the

CaLP Act or undeclared species.

Invasive Animal This program, managed by DPI, focuses primarily on the prevention and Prevention and

eradication of high risk invasive animals in Victoria, such as the Red�eared Eradication

Program Slider Turtle.

Incursion An isolated population of an invasive species recently detected in an area, not known to be

established, but expected to survive for the immediate future.

Invasive species A species occurring as a result of human activities, beyond its accepted normal distribution

and which threatens valued environmental, agricultural or other social resources by the

damage it causes. Species may be pest animals or noxious weeds declared under the CaLP

Act, or other species that threaten the region’s assets including some wild (feral) populations

of domestic animals.

Municipal Road Roads listed on a municipality’s ‘Road Register’.

Native species A species that is believed to have occurred in a specified part of Australia prior to European

settlement.

Noxious weed A species declared as ‘noxious’ in schedules under the CaLP Act. The Act defines four

categories: state prohibited, regionally prohibited, regionally controlled and restricted. A

noxious weed may be an agricultural and/or and environmental weed.


Pest animal An animal species declared under the CaLP Act in one of four pest animal categories:

prohibited pest animal, controlled pest animal, regulated pest animal and established pest

animal.

Potential distribution The estimated area into which a particular species may spread in the absence of control or

containment measures. This area is estimated based on the known environmental, climatic

and physical preferences of the species.

Risk Risk is the chance of something happening that will have an impact on objectives.

Satellite infestation An eradicable population of an invasive species arising as a result of spread from an

established population (see also core infestation).

Species-led approach Prioritising actions that will be most effective in preventing, eradicating, containing or

reducing a target invasive species, rather than those that will best protect or enhance a

specific asset (see also asset�based approach).

Victorian alert weeds The high risk weed species that the Weed Spotters program focuses on. The list of Victorian

alert weeds is maintained by the Department of Primary Industries.

Weed A weed is a plant that requires some form of action to reduce its effects on the economy, the

environment, human health and amenity.

Weed of National These weeds have been identified as national priorities with nationally Significance (WONS)

coordinated management strategies.

Weed risk assessment An evidence�based process estimating the relative weed risk of plant species based on their

biological characteristics, impacts on agriculture, the environment and human health and the

ratio of the species’ present and potential distribution.

Weed Spotters program The Victorian Government’s Weed Spotters program provides training for people to look

out for and report incidences of State Prohibited Weeds and Victorian Alert Weeds.

Widespread species A species that has spread to many of the places that are suitable for its growth within a

specified area. It may occur at high or low density. Containment may still be possible on a

small scale, but exclusion from remaining uninvaded areas or reduction are likely to be more

appropriate responses.

Acronyms

IPA Invasive plants and animals

ABGWN Australian Botanic Gardens Weed Network

BGANZ Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand

CoGB City of Greater Bendigo

DPI Department of Primary Industries

DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment

EPBC Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

EVC Ecological vegetation class

NC CMA North Central Catchment Management Authority

PV Parks Victoria

WRAPM Weed Risk Assessment Procedure & Management


Appendix 2 Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994

The CaLP Act is the Victorian legislation that sets out invasive plant and animal management responsibilities for all

landowners and managers on both public and private land.

Under the Act, certain plant species are declared ‘noxious’. These noxious weeds are divided into four categories based on

their impact, distribution and abundance:

1. State Prohibited Weeds – do not occur in Victoria but it is reasonable to expect that they can be eradicated from

the State (e.g. Mexican Feather Grass).

2. Regionally Prohibited Weeds – does not occur or are not widely distributed throughout the region, are capable of

growing or spreading further and it is reasonable to expect that they can be eradicated from the region (e.g. Serrated

Tussock).

3. Regionally Controlled Weeds - occur in the region, are capable of spreading further and should be stopped from

doing so. Continuing control measures are required to prevent their spread (e.g. Wheel Cactus).

4. Restricted Weeds – are a serious threat to primary production, crown land, the environment or community health

and have the potential to spread into and within Victoria (e.g. bridal creeper).

In addition, Victoria has also declared certain plants as Noxious Aquatic Weeds under the Fisheries Act 1995. These plants

pose a serious threat to a fishery, the aquatic environment or human health.5

The Act also declares certain animals as pests. Pest animals are, or have the potential to be, a serious threat to primary

production, crown land, the environment or community health in Victoria. There are also four categories of pest animals:

1. Prohibited pest animals – are a serious threat to primary production, Crown land, the environment or community

health in a place outside Victoria (or its potential threat in Victoria is unknown) and the importation, keeping and sale

should be banned (e.g. racoons, weasels, stoats and cane rats).

2. Controlled pest animals – have a high potential to become a serious threat to primary production, Crown land, the

environment or community health in Victoria and should only be kept in approved high-security collections (e.g. gorillas,

pumas, American alligators).

3. Regulated pest animals – have the potential to become a serious threat to primary productions, Crown land, the

environment or community health in Victoria and should only be kept in approved collections (e.g. spider monkeys,

common iguanas, American bison, water buffalo).

Established pest animals – are established in the wild in Victoria, are a serious threat to primary production, Crown land,

the environment or community health and should be eradicated, controlled or their spread in the wild should be prevented6

(e.g. rabbits, hares, foxes, feral goats and feral pigs).

Penalties for offences under the CaLP Act

The CaLP Act is administered through the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the Department of

Primary Industries (DPI).

A Directions Notice or a Land Management Notice (LMN) is the most commonly used regulatory mechanism to ensure

noxious weeds and established pests animals are controlled. A notice can be issued if measures need to be taken to prevent

the growth and spread of noxious weeds and pests.

5 Weeds Australia, 2010, Noxious Weeds List: Victoria, http://www.weeds.org.au/vic2.htm 7 DPI, 2010, Noxious Weed and Pest Animals Management: Legal Booklet


Appendix 3 State Prohibited Weeds7

NO. COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

1 Alligator weed Alternanthera philoxeroides

2 Bear skin fescue Festuca gautieri

3 Black knapweed Centaurea nigra

4 Branched broomrape Orobanche ramosa

5 Camelthorn Alhagi maurorum

6 Giraffe thorn Acacia erioloba

7 Hawkweeds Hieracium species

8 Horsetails Equisetum species

9 Ivy-leaf sida Malvella leprosa

10 Karoo thorn Acacia karroo

11 Knotweeds Fallopia japonica, Fallopia sachalinensis and Fallopia x bohemica

12 Lagarosiphon Lagarosiphon major

13 Lobed needle grass Nassella charruana

14 Marijuana Cannabis sativa

15 Mesquite Prosopis species

16 Mexican feather grass Nassella tenuissima

17 Nodding thistle Carduus nutans

18 Parthenium weed Parthenium hysterophorus

19 Perennial ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya

20 Poverty weed Iva axillaris

21 Salvinia Salvinia molesta

22 Tangled hypericum Hypericum triquetrifolium

23 Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes

7 DPI, 2011, Invasive Plant Classification – North Central, http://www.new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/weeds/?a=99755


Appendix 4 Regionally Prohibited Weeds of the North Central

region8


1 African Daisy Senecio pterophorus

2 African Feather-grass Pennisetum macrourum

3 Boneseed /Bitou Bush Chrysanthemoides

monilifera ssp. monilifera

4 Californian /Perennial Thistle Cirsium arvense

5 Scotch/Heraldic Thistle Onopordum acanthium

subsp. acanthium

6 Serrated Tussock Nassella trichotoma

7 Soldier Thistle Picnomon acarna



Appendix 5 Regionally Controlled Weeds of the North Central

region9


1 African Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum

2 African Love-grass Eragrostis curvula

3 Amsinckia Amsinckia spp.

4 Artichoke Thistle Cynara cardunculus

5 Bathurst Burr Xanthium spinosum

6 Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.

7 Caltrop Tribulus terrestris

8 Cape Tulip (One-leaf) Moraea flaccida

9 Cape Tulip (Two-leaf) Moraea miniata

10 Golden Thistle Scolymus hispanicus

11 Gorse/Furze Ulex Ulex europaeus

12 Hardheads /Russian Knapweed Acroptilon repens

13 Horehound Marrubium vulgare

14 Illyrian Thistle Onopordum illyricum

15 Khaki Weed Alternathera pungens

16 Noogoora Burr /Californian Burr Xanthium strumarium (incl. X.occidentale &

X.orientale)

17 Paterson's Curse Echium plantagineum

18 Prairie Ground Cherry Physalis viscosa

19 Prickly Pear (Drooping) Opuntia monocantha

20 Prickly Pear (Erect) Opuntia stricta

21 Silverleaf Nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium

22 Spiny Burr Grass/Gentle Annie Cenchrus longispinus




23 Spiny Rush Juncus acutus subsp. acutus

24 St John's Wort Hypericum perforatum subsp. veronense

25 Sweet Briar Rosa rubiginosa

26 Thorn Apple (Common) Datura stramonium

27 Thorn Apple (Long-spine) Datura ferox

28 Thorn Apple (Recurved) Datura inoxia

29 Wheel Cactus Opuntia robusta

30 Wild Garlic Allium vineale


Appendix 6 Restricted Weeds of the North Central region10


1 Angled Onion Allium triquetrum

2 Apple of Sodom Solanum linnaeanum

3 Athel Pine, Tamarisk Tamarix aphylla

4 Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis

5 Bridal Creeper Asparagus asparagoides

6 Buffalo Burr Solanum rostratum

7 Cabomba Cabomba caroliniana

8 Cape Broom/ Montpellier Broom Genista monspessulana

9 Chilean Cestrum Cestrum parqui

10 Chilean Needle-grass Nassella neesiana

11 Devil's Claw (Purple-flower) Proboscidea louisianica

12 Devil's Claw (Yellow-flower) Proboscidea lutea (gazetted as Ibicella lutea)

13 Dodder Cuscuta spp.

14 English Broom Cytisus scoparius

15 Fennel Foeniculum vulgare

16 Flax-leaved Broom Genista linifolia

17 Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus

18 Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna

19 Hemlock Conium maculatum

20 Hoary Cress Lepidium draba (gazetted as Cardaria draba)

21 Hymenachne Hymenachne amplexicaulis

22 Lantana Lantana camara

23 Mimosa Mimosa pigra

24 Onion Weed Asphodelus fistulosus

25 Ox-eye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare

26 Pampas Lily-of-the-Valley Salpichroa origanifolia

27 Parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata

28 Pond Apple Annona glabra

29 Prickly Acacia Acacia nilotica subsp. Indica

30 Ragwort Senecio jacobaea




31 Rubber Vine Cryptostegia grandiflora

32 Saffron Thistle Carthamus lanatus

33 Sand Rocket/Sand Mustard Diplotaxis tenuifolia

34 Skeleton Weed Chondrilla juncea

35 Slender/Shore Thistle Carduus tenuiflorus / C. pycnocephalus

36 Soursob Oxalis pes-caprae

37 Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare

38 Spiny Broom Calicotome spinosa

39 St Peter's Wort Hypericum tetrapterum

40 Star Thistle Centaurea calcitrapa

41 Stemless Thistle Onopordum acaulon

42 Stinkwort Dittrichia graveolens

43 Spiny Emex Emex australis

44 St Barnaby's Thistle Centaurea solstitialis

45 Topped Lavender Lavandula stoechas

46 Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima

47 Tufted Honeyflower Melianthus comosus

48 Tutsan Hypericum androsaemum

49 Variegated Thistle Silybum marianum

50 Viper's Bugloss Echium vulgare

51 Wild Mignonette Reseda luteola

52 Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum

53 Wild Watsonia Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera (gazetted as

54 Willows*2 Salix spp.

* Except Salix alba var. caerulea, Salix alba x matsudana, Salix babylonica, Salix X calodendron, Salix caprea ‘Pendula’, Salix matsudana ‘Aurea’, Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’, Salix myrsinifolia and Salix X reichardtii.


Appendix 7 Weeds of National Significance11


1 Alligator Weed Alternanthera philoxeroides

2 Athel Pine Tamarix aphylla

3 Athel Pine Tamarix ramosissima

4 Blackberry Rubus fruticosus spp. agg.

5 (African) Boneseed Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera

6 Bridal creeper Asparagus asparagoides

7 Cabomba Cabomba spp.

8 Chilean Needle Grass Nasella neesiana

9 Gorse Ulex europaeus

10 Lantana Lantana camara

11 (Velvet) Mesquite Prosopis velutina

12 Parthenium Weed Parthenium

hysterophorus

13 Salvinia Salvinia spp.


15 Willows Salix alba, Salix babylonicas.l., Salix babylonicas.s., Salix cinerea, Salix fragilis, Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’, Salix X rubens

11 North Central Catchment Management Authority, 2010, Draft North Central Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy 2010-2015


Appendix 8 Fisheries Act Noxious Aquatic Plants12


1 Caulerpa Caulerpa taxifolia

2 Ricegrass/Common Cordgrass Spartina anglica

3 Wakame Seaweed Undaria pinnatifida

12 DPI, 2011, Noxious Aquatic Species in Victoria, http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries/ornamental-fish/noxious-aquatic-species


Appendix 9 Undeclared high risk species in North Central Victoria13


1 African Weed Orchid Disa bracteata

2 Annual mercury Mercurialis annua

3 Arrowhead Acetosa sagittata

4 Arum Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica

5 Asparagus Fern Asparagus scandens

6 Basket Willow Salix viminalis

7 Blanket Weed Galenia pubescens


9 Broadleaf Privet Ligustrum lucidum

10 Chainlink Cactus (Abrojo old) Cylindro puntia tunicata var. tunicata

11 Chilean needle grass Disa bracteata

12 Chilean rhubarb Gunnera tinctoria

13 Cypress spurge Euphorbia cyparissias

14 Dwarf Arrowhead Sagittaria pygmaea

15 Fireweed Senecio madagascariensis

16 Giant Arrowhead Sagittaria montevidensis

17 Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum

18 Hairy willowherb Epilobium hirsutum

19 Hedge cactus Cereus hildmannianus

20 Leaf Cactus Pereskia aculeata

21 Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula

22 Moon cactus Harrisia martinii

23 Old man's beard Clematis vitalba

24 Palefruited Asparagus Asparagus declinatus

25 Small Leafprivet Ligustrum sinense

26 Smoke bush Buddleja madagascariensis

27 Spotted Knapweed Centaurea maculosa

28 Tree Tobacco Solanum mauritianum

29 Ward’s Weed Carrichtera annua

30 Whisky Grass Andropogan virginicus

31 White Weeping Broom Retama raetam



Appendix 10 Very high risk environmental weeds of the Inland Plains

Bioregions14

The inland plains includes the Wimmera, Victorian Volcanic Plains, Victorian Riverina, Dundas Tablelands,

Goldfields, Northern Inland Slopes, Murray Scroll Belt, Robinvale Plains and Murray Fans bioregions.


1 Chilean Needle-grass Nassella neesiana

2 Espartillo Achnatherum caudatum

3 Karroo Thorn Acacia karroo

4 Gazania Gazania linearis

5 Trailing Gazania Gazania rigens

6 Bridal Veil Asparagus declinatus

7 Large-leaf Cotoneaster Cotoneaster glaucophyllus

8 Velvet Cotoneaster Cotoneaster pannosus

9 Lobed Needle-grass Nassella charruana

10 Cane Needle-grass Nassella hyalina

11 Texas Needle-grass Nassella leucotricha

12 Mexican Feather Grass Nassella tenuissima

13 Perennial Veldt-grass Ehrharta calycina

14 Toowoomba Canary-grass Phalaris aquatica

15 Canary Grass Phalaris canariensis

16 English Broom Cytisus scoparius

17 Galenia Galenia pubescens

18 Soursob Oxalis pes-caprae

19 Harlequin Flower Sparaxis bulbifera

20 Tricolor Harlequin-flower Sparaxis tricolor

21 Perennial Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya

22 Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloana

23 Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica

24 Bluebell Creeper Sollya heterophylla

14 DSE, 2009, Advisory List of environmental weeds of the Inland Plains bioregions of Victoria



25 Divided Sedge Carex divisa

26 Desert Ash Fraxinus angustifolia

27 Noogoora Burr Xanthium occidentale

28 Shrubby Crassula Crassula tetragona

29 Flax-leaf Broom Genista linifolia

30 Bugle Lily Watsonia meriana

31 African Box-thorn Lycium ferocissimum



34 Blackberry Rubus anglocandicans

35 Blackberry Rubus leucostachys

36 Blackberry Rubus ulmifolius

37 Pepper Tree Schinus molle

38 Montpellier Broom Genista monspessulana

39 Yellow Ixia Ixia maculata

40 Variable Ixia Ixia polystachya

41 False Brome Brachypodium distachyon

42 Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna

43 Large-leaf Privet Ligustrum lucidum

44 European Privet Ligustrum vulgare

45 Grey Sallow Salix cinerea

46 Horsetail Equisetum spp.

47 Fog-fruit Phyla canescens

48 Radiata Pine Pinus radiata

49 Wandering Jew Tradescantia fluminensis

50 Blue Periwinkle Vinca major

51 Box-elder Maple Acer negundo

52 Horehound Marrubium vulgare

53 Little Medic Medicago minima

54 Burr Medic Medicago polymorpha


Appendix 11 Established Pest Animals15


1 Fox Vulpes vulpes

2 Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

3 Hare Lepus europaeus

4 Feral Pig Sus scrofa

5 Feral Goat Capra hircus

6 Wild Dog Canis familiaris


Documents

Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy · City of Greater Bendigo Invasive Plants & Animals Strategy February 2012 6 3 Roles and responsibilities for invasive plant and animal management