Work to eradicate Cabomba is about to start around Jaycee Island, Lake Benalla, as part of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority's and Benalla Rural City Council's (RCC) efforts to control the weed.
Work to eradicate Cabomba is about to start around Jaycee Island, Lake Benalla, as part of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority's and Benalla Rural City Council's (RCC) efforts to control the weed.
Cabomba, which was once spread throughout Lake Benalla and Broken River, is now contained to some small satellite populations, including Jaycee Island.
Goulburn Broken CMA Strategic River Health Manager Wayne Tennant said bunding, which involves creating a small earthen wall, would be undertaken on Jaycee Island so management action could be taken within the isolated water body.
"This will enable flow manipulation to occur, pumping of the water body and if required, the possible application of a chemical to target the Cabomba," Mr Tennant said.
"There will be no impact on water quality within Lake Benalla or the Broken River."
Another population, near Casey's Weir, will be also isolated and the Cabomba removed mechanically.
"Prior to the works commencing any native fish will be translocated into the main water body," Mr Tennant said.
"The area will also be surveyed for platypus and rakali immediately prior to the works commencing."
During the past three years, lake lowering, installation of management techniques and flooding have all helped reduce Cabomba.
Cabomba is a weed of National Significance and can choke waterways, causing bad, foul smelling, undrinkable water.
"We now have only a number of small populations so it's an ideal time to really target the weed and hopefully eradicate it from Lake Benalla," Mr Tennant said.
"The next challenge is removal from the Broken River."
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Photo: Jo Wood (GB CMA) and Dean Steegstra (Benalla RCC) surveying populations of Cabomba and site for proposed bunding.