Tag: Blackberry

Community action on blackberry

More than 50 rural landowners have completed another summer season as members of their local blackberry action group. With support from the community project officer Chris Cobern, residents are receiving best-practice advice and access to equipment for hire to help complete their property management plans. You may have noticed many of the ‘Say no to blackberry’ farm gate signs as you drive around town.

Our team supports Chris with administration, by producing the farm gate signs and coordinating the blackberry education and compliance program. We have worked with VicTrack to arrange follow-up treatment of the old railway reserve along Plenty Road. Chris has helped some residents get grants from Melbourne Water and has worked with Parks Victoria to have blackberry treated on crown land that adjoins the boundary of our action group members.

Chris says that landowners are doing a great job of managing blackberry on their properties. He has provided some fantastic before and after pictures below from just a few of the properties. Look out for our upcoming rural news article where you’ll hear from residents directly about the benefits of joining the group.

If you’d like to speak to Chris about getting some assistance with blackberry control on your property, email ugln.projects@ugln.net

by kathwhitt

Free Event: Land Management Forum

You’re invited to a free Sustainable Land Management Forum, hosted by the City of Whittlesea, Mitchell Shire Council and Hume City Council. This years’ forum will see a collection of presentations (and a couple of demonstrations) covering the topics you asked for. Including:

  • Land Management Planning: Healthy Hectares (presented by Euroa Arboretum)
  • Serrated Tussock Identification & Management (Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party)
  • Gardens for Wildlife: Natives over weeds (presented by Hume Council)
  • The Granite Creek Project, Euroa: Community-led & Managed Integrated Rabbit Action (presented by Gecko cLan Network)
  • Chilean Needle Grass Identification and Vehicle Hygiene
  • Organic Weed Control: BioWeed, Benefits and Efficacy
  • Lobed Needle Grass: Identification and Management
  • Victorian Blackberry Taskforce

So rally your neighbours and join us for a day of learning and sharing (Morning Tea and Lunch provided). There are limited tickets available so register quick, more details on the Land Management Forum Flyer

Get your ticket HERE

 See you there

by kathwhitt

Seasonal Weed Control – Autumn/Winter

The Land Management & Biodiversity team have been lucky enough to have Ben on loan from Councils Conservation Management Team over the Summer. Ben’s a keen botaniser and invasive plant enthusiast with years of on-ground experience in best practice weed management. Here’s some advice from Ben to help you get started planning your weed control over the coming cooler months..

“Now that autumn is finally here after an extended summer, it is time to start thinking about weeds that will begin to show themselves with the changing conditions. We’ve finally had some rain, so a number of weed species will begin germinating and it will be time for weed control before you know it. Weeds that will begin to germinate with the autumn rains include Paterson’s Curse, Capeweed, Spear Thistle, Scotch thistle and Artichoke Thistle which are all listed, amongst others, under the Councils Pest Plant Local Law.

Depending on rainfall, seedlings and rosettes will be visible very soon, if not already. Early control as well as follow up treatment will be critical to stop seed set. Weeds such as Paterson’s Curse can begin to flower sporadically which means that seed set could occur sooner than you think.

Larger woody weeds will begin to become dormant as it gets colder so efforts on weed control are best focused on broadleaf weeds germinating over autumn and winter.

Plan your attack, look at what methods you want use and when. Talk to your neighbours. If they have the same weed issues, work together towards controlling weeds over the fence as well. Remember to treat any new weeds that appear on your property. Isolated plants can quickly become large infestations if not controlled. If you already have been controlling weeds on your property, keep up good work”.

If you need any further information on weed identification and seasonal control options, call 9217-2147.

Variegated Thistle
Spear Thistle Rosette
Paterson’s Curse
Spear Thistle

 

by kathwhitt

Demonstration Day: Blackberry Control Techniques

VBT

&

 Whittlesea & Surrounds Blackberry Action Group (W&SBAG)

Present

‘Demonstrating Effective Blackberry Control Techniques’

 Date: Saturday 6th October- 9.30am – 12.30pm

Location: Eden Park

Morning tea and lunch provided.

Demonstration activities:

Drone spraying demonstration– Advanced UAV

Mulcher demonstration– Indigenous Design Environmental Services

Demonstrating the use of a spray rig– Chris Coburn –W&SBAG project officer

&

Information on current weed programs

RSVP by the 3rd October. Essential for location and catering purposes.

Contact Barton Roberts 0409 332 258 / vbt@vicblackberrytaskforce.com.au

by kathwhitt

2019 Environmental Works Program: Applications Open 1 September

EWG

Is your property greater than two hectares and zoned for rural land use? If yes, then you are eligible to apply for Council’s Environmental Works Grant Program 2019.

The Environmental Works Grant Program provides a financial incentive for rural landholders to protect and enhance Whittlesea’s biodiversity. Grants of up to $1500 are available for:

  • Fencing projects which permanently protect remnant vegetation from livestock
  • Fencing and planting around farm dams
  • Revegetation projects including shelterbelt establishment
  • Environmental weed control within areas of remnant vegetation.

Apply online: Details of the Program’s guidelines and the online application form can be accessed at Council’s website http://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au (key word search “Environmental Works Grant”)

Contact: Jane Juliff, Landcare Facilitator on 0417 127 841 or jane.juliff@whittlesea.vic.gov.au for more information or to discuss a project idea.

Applications close 30 November 2018.

 

by kathwhitt

Register Now: Whittlesea Farm Chemical Users Course

The City of Whittlesea’s Green Connected Active and Landcare programs are bringing you a two-day, accredited Farm Chemical Users Course. The course is heavily subsidised at just $30 for both days (fully catered), usually costing around $250.

Don’t miss this opportunity to refresh or learn new skills in Integrated Pest Management, including safe and effective herbicide application. Topics covered include:

  • Pest plant and animal identification and control methods
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • label interpretation, chemical modes of action
  • animal health and welfare
  • chemical preparation, storage, transport, disposal and spill clean-up
  • Effective application including nozzle selection and calibration of spray equipment
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Legislation, regulations and industry standards
  • 1080 endorsement (optional at no extra charge)

 

For full details and to register, open the course flier HERE

by kathwhitt

UPDATE: Pest Plant Education & Compliance Program

Council’s annual Blackberry Education and Compliance program is now in full swing. Earlier this summer, properties were sent a courtesy letter advising the commencement of the program and the requirement to control this noxious weed. For most land managers, this notice simply serves as a timely reminder to monitor and follow-up areas previously treated. Notices to comply will shortly be sent out to those properties yet to commence control.

This year, many land managers have chosen to sign-up to a voluntary 3-year property management plan offered by our local Whittlesea & Surrounds Blackberry Action Group (W&SBAG) and their project officer on the ground, Chris. You’ll be seeing the farmgate signs going up all over the place no doubt (see photos below). If you haven’t signed up yet and you’re within the target areas of Kinglake West, Humevale and Whittlesea, you can contact Chris by email to schedule a site visit: ugln.projects@ugln.net

 

 

The annual Gorse program finished up recently and was a huge success. Only 35 properties were sent advisory notices, down from 66 properties in 2016. Of these, just 13 were issued notices to comply. The figures show that more and more property owners are recognising the benefits of integrated Gorse control, particularly from both a farm productivity and asset protection perspective. The image below shows very effective Gorse control on Commercial land in Wollert. While this land owner still has a way to go, it’s an impressive start and shows that the program seeks to engage commercial operators (as well as public land managers) to support the work private landowners are undertaking.

For further information, contact Councils Environment Protection Officer on 9217-2147.

Gorse Control

 

 

 

by kathwhitt

Don’t Miss Out: Get your Tickets today

This Saturday 25 November: Weed Control Networking Day

Hosted by the cities of Hume and Whittlesea and Mitchell Shire Council, the line-up includes presentations from:

  • Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party
  • Victorian Gorse Taskforce
  • Dabyminga Blackberry Taskforce
  • Tim Bloomfield: Pest Plant and Pest Animal Interactions
  • Pat Connor: Weed Seed Spread and Precautions (including a vehicle hygiene demonstration over lunch)
  • Whittlesea and Surrounds Blackberry Action Group
  • Melbourne Water on Landholder Assistance Programs

The event will be facilitated by Terry Hubbard of the Strath Creek Landcare Group, Upper Goulburn, Victorian and National Landcare Networks and 2017 recipient of the Joan Kirner Landcare Award.

There’ll be a FREE sausage sizzle of gourmet Aroona sausages (100% grass-fed, preservative free beef) cooked by the Wandong Heathcote Junction Community Group.

So don’t miss out! Grab your ticket today using the following link:

www.weedday.eventbrite.com.au

 

by kathwhitt