Helping farmers defeat gorse

Australian farmers have a revitalised weapon to help fight one of Australia’s most serious weeds – gorse – with the launch today of the revised Gorse National Best Practice Manual.

Gorse is one of the most invasive and costly weeds in southern Australia, invading pasture, crops, roadsides, urban blocks, river banks, and native vegetation. It currently covers over 23 million hectares making large areas of land unusable.

“Gorse, one of Australia’s 20 Weeds of National Significance, imposes a huge financial burden on land managers. It reduces carrying capacity of pasture, is a serious fire hazard, harbours feral animals, degrades and competes with native vegetation, carries significant control costs and reduces land values,” Ian Sauer, Chair of the National Gorse Taskforce said.

“The manual is an excellent example of cooperation between all levels of government and the community to extend weed control information to landholders,” Mr Sauer said.

The revised Gorse National Best Practice Manual is being launched today in Kilmore.

Kilmore and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region were decided upon by the National Gorse Taskforce for the launch, due to the outstanding efforts of local gorse management volunteer Margaret Hatton.

“Margaret is a standout community leader in land management matters in Mitchell Shire and beyond. Of particular note is her work in instigating and maintaining the local gorse control subsidy project,” said Mr Chris Norman, CEO of Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority.

“From a state-wide perspective, the Goulburn Broken region presents an important opportunity for containing the spread of the core infestations of gorse”, said Mr Norman.

“Although in some areas gorse is already well established, there remains strong potential for preventing establishment and reducing areas of infestation throughout the majority of the Goulburn Broken region”, he said.

“Goulburn Broken CMA is delighted to see Margaret’s significant contribution being recognised at a national level,” Mr Norman said.

Mr Ian Sauer, Chair of the National Gorse Taskforce will present Margaret Hatton with a golden gorse baton and certificate as a national recognition of her outstanding efforts.