Spring is the season that Murrindindi Shire Council kicks off its roadside weed control program to treat many of our roadsides for noxious weeds including Chilean Needle Grass.
Chilean Needle Grass has potentially disastrous economic and environmental impacts. Chilean Needle Grass, sometimes mistaken for native spear grass, is a perennial tussock-forming grass and is one of 32 declared Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) in Australia.
Chilean Needle Grass is a WoNS because of its ability to spread quickly and out-compete pasture and native grasses. This grass can severely reduce pasture productivity and contaminate hay. Its needle-like seed can injure both stock and other animals by burrowing into their mouths, hides and fleeces.
Chilean Needle Grass has been found along the Goulburn Valley Highway from Molesworth to Dairy Creek Road, the Melba Highway from Yea to Murrindindi Road and the Yea-Whittlesea Road from Yea to Deepdene Road. It has also been found on several municipal roadsides within these vicinities and in patches along the Great Victorian Rail Trail.
Murrindindi Shire Council and Regional Roads Victoria are monitoring the weed’s location and asking landowners and the wider community to keep their eyes peeled for this weed. If you discover Chilean Needle Grass on public land, please contact Council immediately so it can be treated. If you suspect you have this weed on your property but are unsure, please contact Council to discuss before treating to avoid the inadvertent removal of Australian native spear grass.
Chilean Needle Grass produces seed in base, stem and panicle of the plant so slashing or grazing (before flowering and seed set), alone won’t adequately control it. In fact this weed is known to be spread by slashers and other machinery, so good vehicle hygiene is important in preventing its spread. An integrated approach, which includes some chemical control, is most likely to deliver the best result.
Spring is the time to identify Chilean Needle Grass while it is in flower and there is a small window of opportunity to treat between flowering and seed set. Given the weed’s ability to create persistent seed, it is important to act quickly and collectively to eradicate any known sites as well as newly-established infestations.
If you suspect you have Chilean Needle Grass on your property or need help with identification, please contact Council on 5772
