Weed control in the Desert Uplands

The Desert Uplands region is strategically very important for weed control for a number of NRM Regions. The Desert Uplands contains the major headwaters of the Burdekin Catchment (BDTRNM) and spans the Lake Eyre Basin Catchment (Desert Channels Queensland NRM) and part of the Alice River and the Fitzroy Catchment (Fitzroy Basin Association NRM).

Funding from the Blueprint for the Bush will be targeted to prevent further spread of a number of weeds of significance for the Desert Uplands region:

Mother of millions (Bryophyllum delagoense and B. daigremontianum x B. delagoense ; Syn. Bryophyllum tubiflorum and B. daigremontianum x B. tubiflorum )
Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata )
Rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora )
Prickly acacia (Acacia nilotica )

This project is designed as a collaborative venture between existing Shire Councils Rural Lands Officers, contractors doing eradication of weeds, landholders, Regional NRM bodies and the staff of the Desert Uplands Committee. Rural Lands Officers from the Shires of Aramac, Barcaldine, Jericho, Dalrymple and Flinders will be employing and supervising weed spraying contractors to control weeds. On private land, there will be a significant in-kind landholder contribution to weed control. A Management Agreement with the landholder will be in place after weed control, committing to follow-up work after the completion of the funding.

The BDTNRM is contributing GPS software bundles including cameras and a computer to monitor and evaluate the extent of the weed infestation and the success of the control measures.

Project update: This project is not yet operational.

Key references

National Weed Strategy

Administration

Funding: Blueprint for the Bush Pest Offensive Grant, and cash and in-kind contributions from partner organisations.

Contact: Bronwyn Houlden, BDTNRM Programme Coordinator

email: Bronwyn.Houlden@bdtnrm.org.au

Project Identification Number: BD8025

Key Management Action: RCT PPA1.1, PPA3.1

PPA1.1.2 “By 2010, have a coordinated approach to pest management”.

PPA1.1.5 “By 2007 implement control strategies/methods for all priority pest species.”

PPA3.1.2 “Implement control programs for terrestrial and aquatic weeds that are spread via waterways or threaten riparian habitats.”

Partners: This project is run by the Shires of Aramac, Barcaldine, Jericho, Dalrymple and Flinders and private contractors with support from Desert Upland Build-Up and Development Strategy Committee Incorporated (Desert Uplands Committee), under the auspices of Desert Channels Queensland, in collaboration with BDTNRM.

Project Manager : Lesley Marshall, DU

Links: Desert Channels Queensland , Desert Uplands Committee