One of the world’s worst weeds removed from site at Penrith

Before: Kudzu infestation. Boundary Creek, Penrith (2010)
Before: Kudzu infestation. Boundary Creek, Penrith (2010)
After: Kudzu removed. Boundary Creek, Penrith (2014)
After: Kudzu removed. Boundary Creek, Penrith (2014)
Chris Dewhurst (HRCC), Martin Snowball (Virbac Animal Health) and Andrew McGahey (Total Earth Care) at Boundary Creek, Penrith
Chris Dewhurst (HRCC), Martin Snowball (Virbac Animal Health) and Andrew McGahey (Total Earth Care) at Boundary Creek, Penrith


Environmental contractors Total Earth Care have completed a project to remove the invasive weed Kudzu from a site in Penrith, Hawkesbury River County Council (HRCC) General Manager, Chris Dewhurst announced today. “Costing nearly $70,000 the project was funded from a number of sources including the NSW Government’s Weeds Action Program,” Mr Dewhurst said. “Kudzu is one of the world’s worst weeds because it can grow up to 30cm per day and has the ability to completely smother houses, buildings as well as all other vegetation “Kudzu has been present at Boundary Creek, Penrith, between Castlereagh Rd and the Nepean River, for more than 10 years. “Unless controlled it has the potential to spread into the main river and establish in other areas,” Mr Dewhurst said.

Total Earth Care Director Andrew McGahey said controlling the plant has been difficult due to severe bank instability compounded by continuous discharges from the upstream sewage treatment plant. “Controlling the weed required a combination of herbicide applications and physical removal. “We have also revegetated the site with native plants and undertaken additional works to stabilise the banks. “After two years of intensive works the site at Boundary Creek is largely free of Kudzu, Mr McGahey said.

Mr Dewhurst praised the co-operation amongst the three landowners which has been critical to the success of the project. “I would especially like to thank Virbac Animal Health who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to managing the Kudzu under challenging circumstances. “Virbac also showed real community leadership by agreeing to act on behalf of all three landowners and avoid the need for three separate projects. Mr Dewhurst said HRCC will need to monitor this site and sites downstream in the Nepean River for many years to come before we can be sure the Kudzu has been completely eradicated. “Any new plants or new growth must be immediately controlled to ensure this weed does not re-establish or spread to other areas,” Mr Dewhurst said.