Today, the ACT Government met with stakeholders, volunteer environmental groups and Landcare ACT at the ACT Weeds Forum to discuss how to best manage invasive species in the territory.
"Invasive species such as weeds are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity in the ACT. On the back of years of drought and bushfire, the current climate drivers including the La Nina weather pattern is resulting in higher-than-average rainfall, causing increased invasive weed growth," Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti said
"Climate change is accelerating biosecurity threats, and in fact, the number of new and emerging invasive plants has risen significantly over the last few years, suggesting that we may already be seeing initial increases.
"Today's forum hosted by Landcare ACT brought together key groups and stakeholders to share knowledge and advice on best practice weeds management across Canberra and our surrounding areas. As the Minister for the Environment, the ACT Government's focus on invasive species is 'Go hard - go early'.
"That is why as part of the recent 2021/22 Budget, we are establishing an Invasive Species Rapid Response Biosecurity Team to increase the ACT's capacity to manage existing invasive plants and to undertake strategic treatment of priority invasive species at key ecological hotspots.
"This team will work in small, nimble teams to respond to a range of biosecurity threats irrespective of land tenure. The establishment of the team will also include a number of positions for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people with a focus on Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians. Integrated weeds management will be a focus, which take an ecological approach and uses a coordinated variety of control methods, reducing reliance on herbicides alone.
"They will identify invasive pests and understand their environmental, social and economic impacts, as well as engage with key stakeholders including the ACT's farmers on biosecurity matters.
"I would like to thank Landcare ACT for organising this important forum and also acknowledge over 35 volunteer groups who spend on average 6,500 hours per year on invasive plant management activities, ensuring that the ACT can continue to be a biodiversity haven."
As stated by Karissa Preuss Chief Executive Officer of Landcare ACT:
"Landcarers in the ACT make a significant contribution in terms of weed control in the urban parklands, nature reserves and rural lands of the ACT Region. This forum enabled knowledge sharing to support Landcarers in this important voluntary work. We discussed solutions and practical examples of best practice weed management and how the Landcare community can work together with government and others to improve and sustain healthy productive landscapes."
As stated by Ian Walker Executive Group Manager Environment, Heritage and Water
"Managing weeds is everyone's responsibility. Together, Landcarers, Park Carers and land managers all play a role in reducing the impact of weeds across all land tenures. The forum acknowledged that with a changing climate will see new invasive species entering the ACT and that early identification and eradication is critical. Surveillance and reporting by an army of citizen scientists will support us all to reduce the impact of weeds. You can report new species to either Canberra Nature Map or iNaturalist Australia."
The ACT Government continues to support rural landholders as they address invasive plants and animals, including:
- $200,000 allocated to Rural Resilience Grants to help farmers manage invasive species on their lands,
- ongoing collaborative feral animal control, and
- providing training and support through the ACT Natural Resource Management's Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator.
The Weeds Forum is funded as part of the Smart Farms Small Grants program currently being delivered by Landcare ACT through the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
