Vigilance needed for gorse control success

Picture (right): Gorse that was previously controlled. However a lack of follow-up control has allowed the gorse to grow back, effectively wasting the initial investment.

The Victorian Gorse Taskforce and the Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group wish to remind landholders in the local area of the importance of an annual program for gorse control.

Mr Peter Everist, Chair of the Victorian Gorse Taskforce said “A well planned gorse control program is one that remains in place for many years. It is nonsense to think that a once-off effort will eradicate gorse.”

There are examples in the local area where compliance action has resulted in significant investment being made by landholders to control gorse, only for those landholders to do little or no follow-up control. This has resulted in the gorse growing back, usually from the seed reserves found in the ground, and effectively wasting the initial investment.

Mr John Cable, Secretary of the Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group said “Our Landcare group is concerned that the work of our members in getting gorse control projects up and running is being impacted negatively by the lack of follow-up control work on neighbouring properties.”

The Victorian Gorse Taskforce recommends that landholders build gorse control efforts into their ongoing property management tasks. It is essential that vigilance is maintained so that any new re-growth or gorse seedlings are treated immediately. If this does not happen, the gorse infestation will eventually grow back to its previous levels or may even exceed this.

“Through financial support from the Department of Primary Industries and in partnership with the local Landcare group the Victorian Gorse Taskforce has invested substantial funds into project areas at Glenlyon. It would be a shame to see this money wasted through lack of landholder follow-up control” said Mr Everist.

Landholders are reminded that under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 they have a legal responsibility to control gorse on their property.