Time to target weed growth
On the back of the welcome rain comes pasture growth, with weeds such as Serrated Tussock, St John's Wort and African Lovegrass popping their heads up.
8 November 2017
On the back of the welcome rain comes pasture growth, with weeds such as Serrated Tussock, St John’s Wort and African Lovegrass popping their heads up.
Council will commence its roadside weed control program this month, with all three of these priority weeds to be part of the spring program.
Council’s acting Vegetation Management Coordinator, Jamie Dixon-Keay, said Serrated Tussock, which grows through winter, is starting to seed right now and he urged all landholders with infestations of this weed, no matter how big or small, to get out and control it.
“The seed can be blown many kilometres so it is vital that everyone knows what it is, whether they have it and, if they do, fully control it to not only to protect their own land, but also that of their neighbours and areas further afield,” Mr Dixon-Keay said.
“Chipping it out, bagging and burning any with flower or seed-heads, spot spraying, or in areas where it is dense and widespread, boom spraying, are all effective ways of dealing with it.
“St John’s Wort is beginning to emerge and will also be targeted by Council on its road and other reserves. It invades degraded areas and those with poor pasture cover, threatening native and introduced plant communities. It is highly invasive and causes photosensitivity in animals.
“Again, if you suspect you have some or have had infestations in the past, inspect and plan control within the next two months to prevent seeding and further spread.
“African lovegrass is emerging following the rain and will be part of the roadside program with control stretching through to autumn.
“It is a very competitive tussock grass, with low stock feed value, and is a threat to agriculture, native grassland and other conservation areas.
“Target individual plants before they spread and other infestations to minimise any impacts it may have on your land,” Mr Dixon-Keay said.
Monthly roadside control programs are publicised through the public notices on Council’s website www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au/news
For further information contact your local agricultural goods supplier, or Council’s vegetation officers on 6499 2222.
Photograph: St John’s Wort
END
Making an enquiry
All media enquiries and interview requests are coordinated by Council's Communication and Events team under the adopted Communications Policy. To view this policy, visit Public Policies and search 'communications'.
To submit a media enquiry or to request an interview:
- email media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
- call 02 6499 2222
Councillors
Councillors can be contacted directly for enquiries regarding decisions of the elected Council and non-operational matters. Interviews with the Mayor should be arranged through the Communication and Events team contact details above.
Receiving information
If you’re a journalist or media organisation that would like to receive media releases and notifications about media opportunities, please email your name, title and contact details to media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au and we will add you to our distribution list.
You can also subscribe to Bega Valley Together and Business News, Council's fortnightly e-newsletters, or follow @begavalleyshirecouncil on Facebook and Instagram.
© Bega Valley Shire Council 2024
Our council websites
Contact Us
- 02 6499 2222
- council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
-
Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550 -
Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 4.30PM
Administration building Zingel Place Bega
Australia -
ABN: 26 987 935 332
Was this helpful?