Weeds
From gorse to ragwort, besom heath and more, we run a number of projects that engage groups to help manage weeds within our municipal areas.
Tamar Valley Weeds Strategy
The Tamar Valley Weed Management Strategic Plan was developed for Tamar NRM by consultants RMCG through a grant provided by the Tasmanian Government’s $5 million Weeds Action Fund under the guidance of a Steering Committee and has incorporated community input through consultation with all relevant stakeholders (local and State government, Landcare groups, landholders, etc).
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The three priorities are:
Reduce the impact of existing weeds in the Tamar Valley
Prevent the establishment of new weed problems
Build community awareness and capacity to act
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The nine key weed species are:
Asparagus Fern Asparagus scandens
Besom heath Erica scoparia
Boneseed Chrysanthemoides monilifera
Bridal creeper Asparagus asparagoides
Gorse Ulex europaeus
Paterson’s curse Echium plantagineum
Ragwort Senecio jacobaea
Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias
Serrated tussock Nassella trichotoma
Why focus on weeds?
Weeds pose a significant threat to economic, environmental, and social assets within the Tamar Valley and more broadly across Tasmania and Australia. Weed management and production losses due to weeds are estimated to cost nearly $5 billion annually across Australia. Weeds also threaten significant ecological communities and threatened species and reduce the aesthetic value and access to land. Weed management is required to reduce these impacts where possible.
Background
In the early 1990’s the Tamar Valley Weed Strategy was first formed as a community-based organisation, funded by the Tasmanian Government. The operational model of the organisation consisted of a coordinator bringing together all industry, Landcare groups, municipal Councils, Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association, Federal and State Governments, and individual landowners and farmers. The coordinator provided up to date weed identification and management information, coordinated weed management programs across land management tenure, and secured funding for weed education and management programs to assist landowners/ managers and community groups. This coordination role was passed to Tamar NRM (formerly Tamar Region Natural Resource Management Strategy) at its inception in 1999 with support from City of Launceston, West Tamar, and George Town municipalities.
Weed Projects
