Bingie Residents Association Continuing Weeding Project
BRA organises weeding groups as needed to remove weeds from public land in our area including National Park, and in some circumstances on private land. Weeding groups will be announced by email, on the BRA Facebook page and on the BRA noticeboard (on Bingie Road about 500 metres in from the highway on the right hand side of the road).
Local generally manage weeds on their own land and participate in group weeding activity to control the spread of weeds in the area.
We aim to work in partnership with the Eurobodalla Shire Council (ESC) Invasive Species Team. The team has limited resources and encouraging more resources for weed control is one of BRA’s aims.
The need for weeding groups is sporadic as outbreaks are governed by weather conditions. Weeding groups are announced when needed by BRA and this is usually initiated by a local notifying us about an outbreak. You can help with this weed monitoring.
Weed control now comes under the NSW Biosecurity Act. The Act includes a process for identifying priorities according to biosecurity risk. In the Bingie area ESC has advised that priorities in our area are Lantana and Serrated Tussock, and Council is active in identifying outbreaks and requiring landowners to control them.
Council tries to work in partnership with landowners to come up with a manageable plan for weed control that suits the persons circumstances. However where agreements break down quite substantial fines can be applied under the Act.
Information about important local weeds and their management is available on the ESC website under: http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/living-in/about/our-natural-environment Look in: Introduced Plants and Animals
Local generally manage weeds on their own land and participate in group weeding activity to control the spread of weeds in the area.
We aim to work in partnership with the Eurobodalla Shire Council (ESC) Invasive Species Team. The team has limited resources and encouraging more resources for weed control is one of BRA’s aims.
The need for weeding groups is sporadic as outbreaks are governed by weather conditions. Weeding groups are announced when needed by BRA and this is usually initiated by a local notifying us about an outbreak. You can help with this weed monitoring.
Weed control now comes under the NSW Biosecurity Act. The Act includes a process for identifying priorities according to biosecurity risk. In the Bingie area ESC has advised that priorities in our area are Lantana and Serrated Tussock, and Council is active in identifying outbreaks and requiring landowners to control them.
Council tries to work in partnership with landowners to come up with a manageable plan for weed control that suits the persons circumstances. However where agreements break down quite substantial fines can be applied under the Act.
Information about important local weeds and their management is available on the ESC website under: http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/living-in/about/our-natural-environment Look in: Introduced Plants and Animals
Serrated Tussock is a Weed of National Significance which arrived here in stockfeed. It produces a fine ‘cloud-like’ long head of seed stalks around October as seen in the picture. There are local forms of tussock including Bergalia Tussock which are not weeds and are not readily distinguished. If you are unsure it’s best to ask the Invasive Species Team at Council.
Lantana is not widespread in Bingie but has been a problem on the Tuross Heads side of Coila Lake. Recently there have been a couple of outbreaks on the northern shore (in our area) and the Council have been active in controlling them. The plant has group flowers that are bright pink/orange and yellow. It grows into thickets and takes over areas of land such as gullies and creeks.
Fireweed is established in coastal south-eastern Australia. It seeds prolifically and rapidly forms a seedbank if not cleared before it flowers. It contains alkaloids toxic to stock. Young, hungry or previously unexposed stock are particularly vulnerable. It establishes more readily in overgrazed or disturbed soils.
Sea Spurge invades upper beach and dune habitats, resulting in alterations to beach and dune formation, displacement of native flora, impacts on Aboriginal heritage values, and displacement of nesting habitats. Sea spurge is spread over long distances by ocean currents. Warning: The broken stems of sea spurge ooze a toxic milky sap. This sap may irritate the skin and is painful if brought into contact with the eyes. Please follow these guidelines for your own health and safety: wear strong plastic-coated gloves; wear long protective clothing; wear protective eye glasses; remember to wash your hands after handling.
Blackberry is present in the area and if left unchecked can take over large areas and be difficult to remove. When still small it is relatively easy to dig out. If you want to pick the berries to eat you need to be sure they have not been sprayed with pesticide.
Whisky Grass is a tall weed with strong square stalks, orange/brown in summer and straw coloured in winter. It is spread along roads and tracks by the movement of traffic and is rapidly spread if mown when seeding. It can also spread into pasture from the roadside. It is easily mistaken for the vulnerable native grass species. It is now present right along Bingie Road as far as the T intersection.
There are plenty of other weeds! The Eurobodalla Shire Council website is a good place to start getting information on their habits and control strategies. http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/living-in/about/our-natural-environment/introduced-plants-and-animals/weeds |