Weeds are already causing Hepburn Shire landowners grief but the discovery of a new species in the region could give residents a fresh reason to fret.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The discovery of a noxious weed, serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma), in Yandoit has landowners worried about how widespread the infestation is in the region.
According to the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP), until recently, only a few serrated tussock plants had been recorded in the region.
Community Engagement officer of VSTWP, Ivan Carter, said it was discovered in April.
“The infestation appears to be a few older plants and some germinated seedlings under a large tree and a revegetated area. The plants may have arrived during the revegetation works on the property some years ago, or on machinery,” he said.
The nearest infestation to the site is in neighbouring Sanden, which is associated with a revegetation site from around the same period.
Agriculture Victoria said it was investigating.
A spokesperson for the department said the weed is generally regarded as the worst pasture-based agricultural weed.
It said the weed can germinate up to 250,000 seeds and although a large proportion of these are unviable, when wind dispersed, they can be blown as far as 20 kilometres.
The weed is typically located within the North-Central catchment and is mainly confined to an arc around Ballarat, Ballan, down to Geelong and the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Weed management is a difficult issue to deal with as different departments look after different areas. The Department of Environment Land Water and Planning manage weeds on crown land, while Hepburn Shire Council manages weeds on public land and roadsides that they manage.
Under the Roadside Weeds and Pests Program, Hepburn Shire was given $27,645 funding for weed management for the period of 2017-19. Vic Roads manages weeds along roads it manages, while Agriculture Victoria provides details for weed management and prevention.