Emu

Helping farmers defeat gorse

Thursday 22 April, 2010
Australian farmers have a revitalised weapon to help fight one of Australia's most serious weeds - gorse - with the launch today of the revised Gorse National Best Practice Manual.
Australian farmers have a revitalised weapon to help fight one of Australia's most serious weeds - gorse - with the launch today of the revised Gorse National Best Practice Manual.

Gorse is one of the most invasive and costly weeds in southern Australia, invading pasture, crops, roadsides, urban blocks, river banks, and native vegetation. It currently covers over 23 million hectares making large areas of land unusable.

"Gorse, one of Australia's 20 Weeds of National Significance, imposes a huge financial burden on land managers. It reduces carrying capacity of pasture, is a serious fire hazard, harbours feral animals, degrades and competes with native vegetation, carries significant control costs and reduces land values," Ian Sauer, Chair of the National Gorse Taskforce said.

"The manual is an excellent example of cooperation between all levels of government and the community to extend weed control information to landholders," Mr Sauer said.

The revised Gorse National Best Practice Manual is being launched today in Kilmore.

Kilmore and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region were decided upon by the National Gorse Taskforce for the launch, due to the outstanding efforts of local gorse management volunteer Margaret Hatton.

"Margaret is a standout community leader in land management matters in Mitchell Shire and beyond. Of particular note is her work in instigating and maintaining the local gorse control subsidy project," said Mr Chris Norman, CEO of Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority.

"From a state-wide perspective, the Goulburn Broken region presents an important opportunity for containing the spread of the core infestations of gorse", said Mr Norman.

"Although in some areas gorse is already well established, there remains strong potential for preventing establishment and reducing areas of infestation throughout the majority of the Goulburn Broken region", he said.

"Goulburn Broken CMA is delighted to see Margaret's significant contribution being recognised at a national level," Mr Norman said.

Mr Ian Sauer, Chair of the National Gorse Taskforce will present Margaret Hatton with a golden gorse baton and certificate as a national recognition of her outstanding efforts.

Further information:

Marli Kelly, Goulburn Broken CMA 0409 410 178

Chris Norman, CEO, Goulburn Broken CMA 0419 790 943

Michael Noble, WONS National Gorse Coord. 0429 960 738

Ian Sauer, Chair, National Gorse Taskforce 0407 046 346

  • The Gorse National Best Practice Manual can be accessed electronically at www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/gorse
    The Gorse National Best Practice Manual is funded by the Australian Government

National manual launch and volunteer recognition event

Date: Thursday 22nd April 2010
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Location: Annemaree Docking's, 220 Diggings Rd, Willowmavin
(10km from Kilmore along Prices Creek)

The Goulburn Broken CMA acknowledges and respects First Nations people and the deep connection they have with their land and waters.


We acknowledge the Yorta Yorta and Taungurung people and their ancestors/forbears as Traditional Owners of the land and waters in the Goulburn Broken Catchment (and beyond). We value our ongoing partnerships with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Taungurung Land and Waters Council for the health of Country and its people.


We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge and recognise the primacy of Traditional Owners obligations, rights and responsibilities to use and care for their traditional lands and waters.

Shepparton
168 Welsford Street, PO Box 1752, Shepparton VIC 3630
T (03) 5822 7700
F (03) 5831 6254

Benalla
89 Sydney Road, PO Box 124, Benalla VIC 3672
T (03) 5822 7700

Yea
Shop 5/10 High Street, Yea VIC 3717
T (03) 5822 7700