Four of Victoria’s community pest management groups will be granted a share in $250,000 to help tackle ecological threats to farmers and the environment.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said the funding was to support localised efforts in long-term management of rabbits, blackberries, serrated tussock and gorse.
The Partnerships Against Pests program is aimed at expanding collaborative partnerships for the long-term management of established weeds and pest animals in Victoria and focuses on reducing the impacts of established weeds and pests though local action to achieve sustainable and long term changes.
The program has delivered $690,000 in grants since 2023 to support industry and community-led projects.
The cost of managing established weeds and pest animals for landowners across the state is estimated at $869,000 each year.
“Community led action is critical in the fight against weeds and pests,” Ms Spence said.
“We’re supporting our vibrant ecosystem by backing sustainable, long-term solutions to established weeds and pest animals management to prevent damage to our landscapes, waterways and agriculture industry.”
The four community pest management groups that received funding are the Victorian Rabbit Action Network, Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party and Victorian Gorse Taskforce.
This second round of funding will be used for projects that build capacity, raise awareness and encourage active management of established invasive species across the state.
The Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) and the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party will use their shared $85,000 grant to establish communities of practice with members across Victoria.
The grant is an increase of $2500 on their 2023 funding.
The VGT has planned to use the funding to nominate several gorse ‘ambassadors’ from affected areas to raise awareness of gorse impact and management practices.
The two ambassadors will work with a facilitator to be employed by the group.
VGT chair Ron Cosgrave said the group welcomed the funding to establish a new approach this year.
“We will give the ambassadors a bit of training with the facilitator — a type of extension officer — to help them engage with their community,” Mr Cosgrave said.
“They will help their locals better identify and control gorse.”
Mr Cosgrave has found success in gorse management on his own small farm in central Victoria.
“It’s nearly all gone but I still run around about once or twice a year and find some new seedlings that have come up to the surface,” he said.
The Partnerships Against Pests program is funded through the government’s Backing Victoria’s Producers initiative, which will deliver $5 million over four years to support community-led action to manage established weeds and pest animals in Victoria.
Gorse in force
Gorse was introduced to Australia from western Europe as a hedging and stock forage plant.
The plant can outcompete with other species and dominate landscapes.
With a high oil content and fine leaves, gorse is a significant fire threat.
Seed can survive in the ground for up to 33 years and can be stimulated to sprout if resurfaced through water erosion or tilling.
Seed need to be cracked open by heat from the sun or bushfires to germinate.
The most effective herbicide is Grazon Extra which is best applied when the plant is in flower in autumn and spring.