We are urging rural landowners
to control serrated tussock now, before it starts to seed in late Spring.
A fast-spreading noxious weed, serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma)
can have disastrous environmental and agricultural impacts if left unchecked.
Locally, the worst infestations have historically occurred on farmland in
Anakie, Lara and Little River, but the species can be found anywhere in the
Greater Geelong region (including lifestyle blocks and in residential gardens).
Starting in the coming weeks, we will be controlling serrated tussock on
311 rural roadsides and on City-managed land through to late September 2024.
In partnership with the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party and
Agriculture Victoria, we are also reminding landowners of their
responsibility to act against serrated tussock and help prevent its spread to
neighbouring areas.
Serrated tussock is both a Weed of National
Significance and a declared noxious weed under the Catchment and Land
Protection (CaLP) Act 1994. Every landowner has a responsibility to prevent
the growth and spread of serrated tussock on their land.
Each serrated
tussock plant can produce up to 100,000 seeds a year, which can be blown
several kilometres, infesting new areas.
Seed can also be spread via moving water, machinery, livestock or in hay.
Serrated
tussock can be controlled with registered herbicide, manual removal or
cultivation.
Mayor Trent Sullivan:
By spraying in late Winter, early Spring,
property owners can control plants as soon as they appear, before they seed.
Livestock can become very ill or even die when they eat serrated tussock
because they are unable to digest it, while heavy infestations can also lead to
loss of pasture and native grasses.
Controlling serrated tussock on Council land and roadsides will be a priority
for our team over the coming weeks and we’re asking that all landowners also
prioritise this work.
By working together we can help protect our environment and our local farming
economy.
Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party Community Engagement Officer Ivan
Carter:
Serrated tussock has a fine leaf and will roll smoothly between
the index finger and thumb, while native tussocks feel as though they have flat
edges.
The leaves also feel rough when you run your fingers downwards due to
fine serrations.
A
mature serrated tussock plant can produce thousands of seeds in a season,
blowing up to 20 kilometres from the parent plant.
Having a healthy pasture and competitive ground cover is one of the most
important aspects to weed management, serrated tussock is a prime example of a
weed that does not like competition and well established pastures.
Agriculture Victoria Leading Biosecurity Officer Luke Vinton:
Effective,
long-term control of established invasives such as serrated tussock is best
achieved when everyone in the community is working together.
For more information on how to identify and control serrated tussock,
landowners can visit www.serratedtussock.com.
For further advice and information on serrated tussock management please
contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186.