Landholders in Plumpton and Hillside are encouraged to carry out serrated tussock control now to prevent a seed storm impacting agricultural and residential properties in the area.
Serrated tussock is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts. It can spread rapidly across urban areas, causing significant disruption to neighbouring residential areas when large amounts of seed blow across the landscape.
Leading Biosecurity Officer Drew Bateman said the window for land managers to undertake serrated tussock control and prevent a seed storm event is now.
“Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, all land managers have a responsibility to prevent the growth and spread of serrated tussock,” Mr Bateman said.
Serrated tussock is a prolific seeder and flowering stems containing seed may be blown up to several kilometres. The stems emerge from August and take eight to 10 weeks for seed to mature.
Flowering stems can build up against housing, sheds, roadsides and fence lines, particularly in the rural/urban interface of outer west Melbourne, causing significant disruption and clean-up requirements.
Control measures include the application of a registered herbicide, soil cultivation or the removal of the entire weed from the soil. Depending on the chemical used it can take several weeks after application for it to take effect.
Implementing control measures now can minimise seed set, reducing the likelihood of the weed spreading and the flowering stems impacting nearby residential areas.
Mr Bateman said land managers could obtain control advice on the Agriculture Victoria website or by speaking to a Biosecurity Officer by contacting the Customer Contact Centre.
