Early summer is the best time for landholders to start tackling weeds, according to Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority River Health Officer Kirsten Roszak.
Early summer is the best time for landholders to start tackling weeds, according to Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority River Health Officer Kirsten Roszak.
“After two very wet summers, weeds along many of our waterways have flourished and the time is right now for landholders to manage these weeds,” Ms Roszak said.
“Blackberry has really relished the wet conditions but other weeds such as broom, gorse, St John’s wort and periwinkle amongst others, have also benefited.”
Blackberry and gorse are declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 as Regionally Controlled Weeds in the Goulburn Broken catchment.
“Land owners and managers are therefore responsible for managing blackberry and gorse on private land and also on Crown water frontages where they hold a grazing or riparian licence,” Ms Roszak said.
“These weeds compete with pasture and native vegetation, and controlling blackberry and gorse on your property and creek frontage can increase the value of your property and will improve the health of our waterways. “
Ms Roszak said if landholders were using herbicides, the best results were achieved by treating between January and March when the plant was actively growing and the chemical could be taken up quickly into the roots.
“We appreciate the efforts of landholders who have been active in fulfilling their obligations in the past and remind them that the Goulburn Broken CMA continues to offer support for improving the health of our waterways including activities such as fencing and revegetation works,” she said.
For more information phone Goulburn Broken CMA staff at the Yea Office on 5736 0100.